KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Cyril Xaba had welcoming news for dairy farmers in the province. He revealed that the schools nutrition programme would include milk products in its menu.
The Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), as a commodity association, had been campaigning for dairy to be part of the school nutrition program me.
During a visit to dairy farms in the Harry Gwala District, MEC Xaba announced that starting from April 2015, school menus will have to include amasi and long life milk.
Dairy farmers had invited the MEC with the intention of showing him the potential for growth of the milk sector in their district and the challenges they faced with uncertainty over the land reform process. They had also enthusiastically informed him of their success stories in developing young black managers and emerging dairy farmers.
The farmers emphasised that a major challenge involved the transfer of skills and training, an area, which they would like the Department to focus on.
MEC Xaba responded to the farmers in his speech after the visit.
Enquiries:
Nalini Naidoo
Cell: 083 234 0475
E-mail: nalini.Dickson@kzndard.gov.za
