The MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Hon Zoleka Capa has allayed fears of emerging farmers who are part of the department’s food security programme, saying they should not panic because the massive ploughing of fields will commence in due course.
People should not panic, the processes of ploughing fields have been amended to reduce irregularities and other tendencies that tend to hamper the programme, the MEC said.
The department has set aside more than R10 million and is in a bid to buy in inputs including seeds and fertilizers in bulk.
The ploughing has already started in the Bizana and Flagstaff.
Municipalities and other poverty alleviation entities will be engaged to pull resources together in order to maximise the impact of this season’s ploughing.
All ploughing-related matters, including those undertaken by municipalities or public entities, including Asgisa-Eastern Cape should be directed to the department.
The MEC said the tune about the approach that will be used in ploughing this season will be taken from the department and it will engage other poverty alleviation entities, including traditional and religious leaders.
The farmers that have already been earmarked to be part of the food security programme should expect communications from their respective departmental district and local offices and any entity that will approach the community will intentions to plough will do so via the department.
The communities that are interested in ploughing their fields but were not part of the initial programme will be kept abreast with the information on how they would be catered for.
The department is adamant that the seed type that will be utilised will stand the weather conditions and the farmers should expect good harvest.
Extension officers will be mentoring and coaching emerging farmers while Dohne Research Centre will assist in testing suitability of the soil.
Enquiries:
Ayabulela Ngoqo
Cell: 071 603 3235
