THE Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), in conjunction with O.R. Tambo District Municipality and Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency, successfully hosted a pop-up market day at Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) in Mthatha on September 30.
The initiative was held to support local farmers and small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) from different sectors, including the creative arts, with 25 SMMEs from local municipalities across the O.R. Tambo district taking part and getting exposure and a chance to exhibit their craft work.
Local farmers came in their numbers with their fresh produce, and it was sold at reasonable prices.
“We want all the subsistence farmers to bridge the gap between the primary and commercial business chain. The biggest challenge faced by local farmers as well as SMME’s is access to the market; thus we are making strides to create a conducive environment for our stakeholders to participate in the food production value chain,” said Ntinga, OR Tambo Development Agency senior manager for trading enterprises, Mlungiseleli Zilimbola.
“Our people need to know where their produce will be sold and must be able to get to the commercial side of farming.
“We are looking forward to ensuring active participation of local farmers in the food production value chain and to conduct more initiatives of this nature to assist local farmers to have access to the market,” Zilimbola said.
O.R. Tambo District is considered as one of the areas in South Africa that have the potential to supply the rest of the nation with quality food as weather conditions and soil fertility permit for food production through primary agriculture.
There is a massive decline in farming activity and, as a result, the district is faced with a challenge of food production, particularly the supply of edible fruits and vegetables.
Tireless efforts are being made to support local farmers and to ensure that they are part of the food production value chain in the district.
Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) has always been a solution to local farmers who are in primary agriculture and agro-processing by availing the market to local farmers.
There are ongoing engagements to enhance the level of involvement of local farmers in primary agriculture and to ensure that they make effective use of the opportunities created for them to supply quality produce to the market.
Secretary of the O.R. Tambo Farmers Association, Mlungisi Ndobeni, expressed words of gratitude for the revitalisation of programmes of this nature.
“As the local farmers, we are happy to witness that there are plans in place to assist our efforts in playing a part in the local economy, as well as food production in our lovely district. Moreover, we are delighted to see the market working; we do not want to see KFPM becoming a white elephant.
“We are also happy to see government working in an integrated manner with the aim of ensuring involvement of local people in the affairs of government. We will do our utmost best to support this great initiative and we applaud all the stakeholders that are playing a pivotal role in this initiative” said Ndobeni.
– ISSUED BY NTINGA OR TAMBO
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
