QUMBU – The farming communities of two villages in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality received a boost following a R3.8 million investment in agricultural infrastructure by the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture.
MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over an irrigation system, storage infrastructure and fencing to the youth-led Vivi-Am Holdings in Sigubudwini village — an initiative that focuses on vegetable production.
In another village, Nyanisweni, Kontsiwe handed over a Springwater project aimed at improving water access for households and strengthening community food production initiatives. During the installation phase of the project in May 2025, 40 community members had been employed, the department said.
The project benefited households within the village, particularly those involved in backyard food production who had experienced difficulties accessing water.
Speaking at the Sigubudwini handover, Kontsiwe commended the young farmers running Vivi-Am Holdings for their commitment, adding that the work her department was doing enabled them to transform agriculture in their community.
“These young people have dedicated themselves to this work. They are young but work hard. We are encouraged by their dedication to working the land and the fact that they have an established market where they sell their produce,” the MEC said.
The move, Kontsiwe said, had been made to increase agricultural production and promote inclusive economic growth.
The irrigation system covers 11 hectares of land for production while the fencing extends over 20 hectares. One of the young farmers from Vivi-Am, Sihle Guzane, said the department’s intervention has strengthened the enterprise’s production capacity.
“The irrigation is helping us a lot as it gives us an opportunity to plant throughout the season. Since the infrastructure is of a better standard than the one we used to have, our crops receive sufficient water to help them grow.”
Guzane said that the expansion of their production capacity enabled the project to create employment opportunities through the appointment of permanent and seasonal workers.
Previously, the Nyanisweni Springwater project received a tractor from the department, providing much-needed relief to their operations.
“The handover forms part of the department’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for the rural Eastern Cape,” Kontsiwe said. Beyond supporting smallholder and commercial enterprises, the department’s intervention also extended to improving access to water for communities in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality area.
The Springwater project, Kontsiwe said, has improved the livelihoods of community members by increasing household food production, improving household nutrition and reducing expenditure on vegetables.
The Department of Agriculture had previously supported the Nyanisweni village and its chief, Nolitha Ludidi, with agricultural inputs including fertilisers and various vegetable seedlings at a cost of R80,000.
Kontsiwe was accompanied by the Kumkani Mhlontlo mayor, Mbulelo Jara, and the municipality’s Local Economic Development Portfolio Head, Mbuti Voko.
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