MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs Lydia Johnson will host the launch of the Liming Programme. This initiative is part of the department’s continuing efforts to ensure the commercial viability of farming in the entire province by creating suitable markets for the farmers.
It was noted that many farmers have been experiencing problems with the soil acidity and poor nutritional content of the soils in KwaZulu-Natal. This problem of soil acidity and infertility has a direct impact on food security in the province. The use of fertiliser alone is not enough. The only effective tool available to correct this is the application of lime and fertilizer, as determined by soil sampling.
The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development in the province has undertaken an initiative to change this situation by liming and fertilizing the fields. The improvement in soil fertility as a result of this initiative will be evident for many seasons to come. The department has started to apply lime to some 4000ha of high potential land in communal areas across the province. Target areas are those with the largest extent of acid soils like high-rainfall parts of Sisonke uThukela and uMgungundlovu; fairly extensive high-rainfall areas of Uthungulu Zululand Umzinyathi, Amajuba and smaller areas in parts of Ugu, eThekwini, iLembe and uMkhanyakude.
Esteemed members of the media are cordially invited to participate in the event and interviews and information packages will be available.
We look forward to your positive response in this critical campaign which is geared to enhance food security in the province.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 18 June 2011
Venue: To be confirmed
Time: 09h30
Enquiries:
Vusi Zuma
Tel: 033 343 8008
Cell: 082 419 2887/079 259 6327
Invitation: Launch of the Liming Programme in Nquthu
Province
