I wish to pay tribute to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole-Moloi who is leading all efforts aimed at fast-tracking the entry of women into agriculture, the sector previously dominated by men.
We are privileged as the department to join the MEC and the board of the Agri Business Development Agency, during the hand-over of this farm to a woman as we wrap up women’s month.
Importantly, as the department we undertake to work with the MEC, her department and its entities in sustaining the agrarian revolution.
I know for the fact that since being deployed to this office, MEC Sithole-Moloi has ensured that thousands of emerging farmers are trained. She has ensured that they are prepared to lead in agricultural production.
On this important day, we wish to assure the MEC and the people of KwaZulu-Natal that as the department, through our agencies such as Ithala, KZN Growth Fund and Operation Vula Fund, we will strengthen the support extended to emerging farmers, especially women.
We want them to increase the production of agricultural products for domestic consumption and for experts.
Through the hard-work of MEC Sithole-Moloi, we have no doubt that in the long-run we will have considerable pool of black commercial farmers that operate beyond the confines of state run market outlets. Indeed this is the time for women to take up their space in the broader export agricultural market.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya - 082 375 4742
Mack Makhathini - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 071 360 9017
Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113
