Program Director
Amakhosi present
All protocol observed
Good morning/ sanibonani
There is a common adage we often use in Zulu that says “Umntana olungakhali ufela embelekweni” which means that those who do not talk suffer in their silence. I find this very relevant and important for me to reiterate it today because my presence here today has been brought about by a conversation I had with Inkosi Luthuli. Although I will not reveal much of what we discussed, I can reveal that the gist of our conversation was about agrarian revolution in this community. What impressed me more is that Inkosi Luthuli is a catalyst of the process of achieving the goal of agrarian revolution in this area.
I must really commend his commitment to nation building because, as government, we cannot achieve our goals without the support of our traditional leaders. That is why we emphasise our national theme that President Jacob Zuma announced when he became State President in 2009, which is: “Working together we can do more”.As the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development we want to see optimal land use where our natural resources favour agricultural production.
We highly depend on Amakhosi to rally their people to play an active role in pushing back the frontiers of poverty and ensuring their own food security. We also want to have sustainable food security, sound environmental management and comprehensive, integrated rural development. Now, all of this will only be achievable if rural people begin to own processes of their own development, which means they have to partner with government departments and be active in the running of projects.
As we have heard the President’s speech on Thursday when he addressed the nation in Parliament. Agriculture remains one of the key sector through which we will create jobs and build our economy. The government is well aware of the prevalence of poverty and will not relent in fighting it. We are also very much aware of the challenges our communities face in trying to produce their own food.
During the roadshows that the department had last year, I was told about a plethora of challenges from lack of resources like infrastructure, fencing, tractors, water, and so on. We responded to some of them last year when we procured more than 200 tractors for the Mechanisation Programme.
Last year we had a provincial launch of our Mechanisation Programme at EmaDungeni, Ixopo in Sisonke District. The new programme is aimed at enhancing agricultural activities through the provision of comprehensive mechanisation services to the local communities. The tractors have been distributed throughout the province and are available for your use. The tractors remain in the care of the department and are stationed in our Offices where they are being utilised through a booking system. The main function is to provide a ploughing service to the rural poor for free.
Today we are here to handover agricultural implements to this community to enhance your agricultural activities. Amongst these implements is a power hoe which will be very useful in cultivating community gardens.The power hoes are mainly intended for the vegetable-farming sector to till the soil. The power hoe is used to loosen soiland can be used by an individual. You will also get the necessary training on how to use it efficiently.
We have also brought seeds and hand hoes for your gardens as part of the One Home One Garden Campaign. I hope that you will treasure these implements and use them gainfully. They will change the lives of many families I dare you to cultivate every piece of arable land in this area and sell excess food. We want to introduce you to agribusiness so that you can be fully fledged commercial farmers one day. You need to start imagining occupying some space for your export produce at the Dube Trade Port, more so because it’s within reach to you unlike other far flung rural communities. We see this airport as a gateway to trading in the international market and you must utilise all opportunities that are at your disposal.
As the provincial government, we encourage our to plant crops for household consumption and then sell excess for profit making. We also have a responsibility of supporting emerging farmers, ensure that they develop to their full potential and become fully fledged entrepreneurs.
The issue of sourcing markets once the food has been produced is a challenge we are now addressing. This is to ensure that our farmers are financially sustainable as they continue with production.
I thank you.
