G Nkwinti to hand over power hoe tractors to female farmers, 13
Jun

9 June 2006

Nine female farmers will each receive power hoe tractors from 25 power hoes
that will be handed over to Lusikisiki and Flagstaff farmers by MEC Nkwinti.
This is as a result of the pronouncement made by MEC Nkwinti in his policy
speech in March 2006 that “the department will make tractors available, which
will make tilling of the lands possible thereby achieving the ideals of Green
Revolution”.

“When asking communities why the lands are not ploughed, they all give the
same answer that there are no tractors. That is why the department is making
the tractors available,” said Nkwinti in his policy speech.

Ms Khwekhwe, the Manager for Agriculture in the Qaukeni district said 25
power hoe tractors and other equipment worth R172 680, would be dispensed per
municipal ward to the ward producers association (WPA). WPA is the controlling
body for all agricultural activities taking place at ward level. She said a
team composed of a councillor and an agricultural technician will play an
advisory role and be oversees of the equipment as they are the drivers of rural
development at ward level. “Such bodies will then account to the Local service
Area (LSA) producer’s council and eventually to the Qaukeni Producers Council
and local municipality by the councillor,” explained Ms Khwekhwe.

She further said an operational and asset management plan will be developed,
which will elucidate their plan for daily usage. In addition to the 25 tractors
that would be handed over on the day, there will also be wheelbarrows, hoe
heads and handle, garden spades, sprayer knapsack, chlorofoe, dust musk,
plastic watering cans and steel rakes. “The department will also be handing
over spinach, beetroot and carrot seeds to the communities,” said Ms
Khwekhwe.

The event will be held at Lusikisiki College on 13 June, commencing at
9am.

Enquiries:
Thando Sonjica
Tel: (040) 609 3563/ 609 3965
Cell: 082 774 4768

Fikile Black
Manager Communication
Cell: 082 578 1437

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
9 June 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)