A further 250 000 small-scale farmers are set to benefit from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Initiative (Pesi) soon. Although some successful applicants from the 2022 Pesi rollout are still waiting on their vouchers, new applicants look forward to the much-needed financial boost.
Since its launch in December 2020, the programme has been largely a nightmare for subsistence, small-scale farmers, and input suppliers. The programme has been riddled with problems such as double charging, undelivered vouchers, product exclusions, and some suppliers outright refusing to sell to voucher holders.
Farmers have repeatedly reached out to Food For Mzansi to air their frustrations, while some have taken to social media, alleging that they have not received their vouchers from the 2022 application phase, despite successful application.
Farmers remain hopeful
However, Limpopo poultry farmer, Katekani Mahsha said she isn’t discouraged by this and hopes to qualify for the farmers’ aid. Through the programme, qualifying subsistence farmers are given vouchers to buy much-needed farming inputs at selected suppliers.
“The Pesi voucher means so much to me because it’s going to give me an opportunity to go grow and expand. I’ve always wanted to introduce layers to my business because that is what is lacking in my village,” Mahsha said.
“The Pesi voucher will help me achieve just that. For me, this voucher is a beacon of hope, it gives me a sense that things are about to change for my business.”
Mahsha struggles to access funding and therefore the voucher is very important to her.
“A lot of young people in my village are unemployed and if programmes like Pesi empower us like this, we may just be the ones to create jobs for our fellow youths. I haven’t used the voucher before so I do not know what its advantages and disadvantages are,” she added.
ALSO READ: Farmers stuck in new chapter of PESI nightmare
Minimum qualifying criteria
Reggie Ngcobo, media liaison for the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development, told Food For Mzansi that minister Thoko Didiza will make an official announcement with details on this year’s rollout date.
In the meantime, interested applicants should know that in order to qualify, applicants:
- should be 18 years old or older;
- have a valid South African ID;
- must not be employed in the public service or by a state-owned entity;
- must currently be actively involved in agricultural production; and
- must not have received DALRRD support in the current financial year.
In previous years, one application per household was permitted, and specific targeted commodities such as vegetables, grains (maize and soybean), sugarcane, cotton, poultry, and livestock were supported.
Ngcobo said Didiza will make an official announcement on how this year’s application process will work.
ALSO READ: Pesi nightmare: Axed suppliers in limbo
Pesi vouchers have been reintroduced at the right time
Meanwhile, speaking as a commercial farmer and president of the National African Farmers Union, Motsepe Matlala said communication on the pesi programme must improve.
“We call on government at provincial and national level, as well as municipal programme coordinators and all stakeholders who are aware of the programme, to raise awareness at a national level, so that everybody can know what government is doing about it,” Matlala said.
The reintroduction of the vouchers came at the right time, he said, however, he hopes the rollout of the vouchers will be much smoother than previous years.
Matlala dubbed the Pesi programme as an important initiative intended to benefit very poor communities. Especially people living in rural areas who derive their livelihoods from livestock and vegetable production.
“Government must work out a communicative strategy to inform the people of South Africa about the programme. Out of this investment we can measure the inputs and outputs. Ultimately, we want to ensure that subsistence farmers graduate to something better.”
READ NEXT: MEC Manopole vows to appease NC farmers
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
