Makhathini Flats will receive an investment of R1.1 billion from the KwaZulu-Natal cabinet in order to revamp agriculture and improve agricultural infrastructure in the Jozini and Umhlabuyalingana municipalities.
KZN Premier Mr Senzo Mchunu had made the announcement on 21 July 2014 during a two-day fact finding mission aimed at assessing the implementation of the integrated development plan.
Premier Mchunu, together with the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Cyril Xaba, are optimistic that the area could easily become the country’s main supplier of agricultural products not only in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, but throughout the country.
The aim of the visit was to monitor the work being carried out by subsistence farmers in that area and witness at first hand, the issues which the farmers are confronted with.
The main focus of investment will be livestock, irrigation infrastructure and the planting of various rare crops in the area. These include groundnuts and cassava.
The investment will also see widespread planting of mango. These projects will utilise an area of land extending 8 800ha.
MEC Xaba said the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development had already committed around R200 million in the Makhathini Flats over the past 10 years.
The improvement of the irrigation scheme will also benefit farmers who are already producing cotton, sugarcane and other vegetables.
