The MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Zoleka Capa cordially invites members of the media to attend the kick-off of the 2012 maize ploughing season event in Bizana.
The department has taken vigorous steps in ensuring the emerging farmers are helped to plough their lands and R38 million to top-up the budget has been sought from the national government to make this happen.
Through a new model, after calculations that it would cost about R8 800 to plough a hector, the emerging farmers will required to at least contribute R1 800 per hector while the department will fork out the remaining R7 000.
However, the famers that are not able to raise the required contributions will be given “soft loans” by Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA).
These loans are “soft” because they will not incur any interest during the first 12 months and there will be discount incentive for paying the debt back before the lapse of that period.
This method seeks to diversify the number of farmers assisted by the department and it is hoped that about 10 000 ha can be ploughed this season.
The department has a pool of tractors with drivers that will be spread across the length and breadth of the province, this will ensure farmers’ fields are ploughed on time for better production.
Details of the event:
Date: Friday, 21 September 2012
Time: 10h00
Venue: Bizana Youth Centre, Bizana
For more information contact:
Ayabulela Ngoqo, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 071 603 3235
Thozi Manyisana, Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 494 3600
