KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube launched the 2022 Multi-Planting Season Programme in the uGu District on the South Coast of the province early this week. The agricultural potential of KwaZulu-Natal remains untapped, said Dube-Ncube in her address at the launch in KwaMbuthuma Kwa-Machi on Tuesday.
“The province has a diverse topography, climate and good soil, and it is poised to lead South Africa’s agriculture revolution,” said Dube-Ncube. “If we succeed, we can push back the frontiers of degrading poverty, underdevelopment, hunger, and unemployment.”
The multi-million rand programme is the brainchild of the department of agriculture and rural development and is aimed at supporting small-scale farmers and communities to improve food security and ward off hunger.
A total of 2 000 hectares will be planted in the district, with maize occupying 1 300 hectares. The planting of maize will take 1 300 hectares, while the planting of beans will occupy 350 hectares. Various vegetables will also take 350 hectares.
Plagued by challenges
While the uGu District is renowned for attracting tourists to its shores, Dube-Ncube said that it had its fair challenges, including water shortages, prolonged electricity outages and community unrest due to the lack of basic services.
“The issue of water shortages is being urgently attended to by the provincial and national governments and interventions are in place to mitigate the problem.”
The consequences of load shedding for the different agricultural products are far-reaching, with devastating outcomes, she added. “The impact of load shedding goes beyond the outages.”
She noted that load shedding had also coincided with the summer crop planting season, which would have implications on food security into the coming year.
“Electricity is a key agricultural input. According to the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development’s statistics, the agricultural sector spent approximately R9 billion on electricity in 2021. This is more than 7% of the sector’s expenditure on intermediate goods and services. A reliable power supply is especially critical for the sector’s irrigation and water treatment.”
‘Agriculture our lifeline’
Dube-Ncube explained that the multi-planting season is a strategic programme that is aimed at getting rid of poverty, inequality and unemployment through inclusive rural economic development by investing in agriculture.
Agriculture is the greatest and the most important of our industries in Mzansi, she said.
“Through this programme we enhance the capability of farmers by supporting them to optimise agricultural production throughout all seasons, and provide technical information and extension support. Additionally, we mobilise farmers in the province to take into consideration the different locations and geographies for planting periods in context of weather conditions.”
The planting season programme has the potential to create 500 job opportunities during and post operations through various services including tractor operators, crop management and harvesting services.
Dube-Ncube said that the programme further provides opportunities for the use of SMME’s through the provision of mechanisation services.
“The implementation of the programme is envisaged to reach approximately 10209 beneficiaries across the province. The majority of the beneficiaries comprises almost 65% of female beneficiaries represented by approximately 6 644 people. Furthermore, approximately 962 youth and 84 disabled people involved in agriculture will also benefit from the support provided.”
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