Eastern Cape MEC for agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, expressed pride as she tabled the department’s 2024/25 Annual Report before the provincial legislature, announcing a clean audit and achieving nearly 100% of its target.
She highlighted the achievements and challenges they are encountering. “I am proud to report that the department achieved 99% of its planned targets for the year under review; a clear reflection of our dedication to enhancing agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
“Our interventions reached over 70 000 households, strengthening household food security and resilience. The achievement of yet another clean audit reflected our unwavering commitment to transparency, sound governance, and accountability in the management of public resources,” she said.
Improved job creation
The MEC explained that, according to the second quarter of 2025 Stats SA Labour Force Survey, the Eastern Cape recorded a notable increase in employment, adding 89 000 new jobs, the second-highest gain among all South African provinces.
“The agriculture sector contributed 21 000 of these jobs, highlighting its growing importance as a pillar of inclusive growth.”
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According to Kontsiwe, 27 smart-agriculture tunnels to empower youth and women farmers, as well as 10 spring water projects benefiting nearly 2 000 households and creating 500 jobs, were completed.
“The department supported 124 rural enterprises to strengthen local economies, while its efforts in poultry, grain, and livestock value chains have strengthened the provincial agricultural base.
“To diversify and enhance competitiveness, the department partnered with the World Bank in fisheries value chains, Medigrow and the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) in hemp and cannabis production, and implemented a blended finance model that unlocked R7.5 million for pineapple farms that created 368 jobs,” she said.
To ensure youth development, a total of 166 youths were supported in agribusiness services, 187 students graduated with agricultural qualifications from Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute and Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute, while 3 319 youth benefited from skills development initiatives.
“Let us continue working together in advancing food security, job creation, and economic growth, ensuring that agriculture remains the growth frontier of the Eastern Cape,” Kontsiwe said.
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