The MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), Nonkqubela Pieters, launched a crop programme at Upper Tabase Village in Mthatha, last week.
Pieters showed farmers the maize seed to be planted in many mealie fields and grain producing farms in the Eastern Cape, as part of the cropping programme during the official launch in this village.
She announced that the DRDAR was investing R79.3 million in maize production, covering 26 198 hectares of land in OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo.
“Amathole District, Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani District, would receive R42.3 million of this money, invested in production inputs for farmers for maize production on 13 633ha, while R36.8 million would be invested in mechanisation for farmers for production on 10 021ha,” said Pieters.
She added that R37.6 million was allocated for partnerships with farmers, as well as Afro-Saint Business Consultants, Dalasile Agri-Park, Nodayimani Investments and Luleka Mbete Investments, the South African Grain Farmers Association (SAGRA), Ukhanyo Farmer Development and Wip-hold, to produce maize to be sold through off-take agreements.
One of the founders members of the Upper Tabase Maize Project, Mveleli Mhlonitshwa, said they were happy to be visited by Pieters.
He said, since they started this project in 2011/2012, this was their first time to be visited by an MEC, who promised to help them reach their dream of rural commercialisation.
“It was always our dream to ensure that we plough all the land in our area. He promised to work with us and ensure that we fulfil our dream. Our intention is to fight poverty and to show other people that ploughing is very important,” said Mhlonitshwa.
