Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, says government is on a mission to ensure that there are black commercial farmers, through the support her department is providing them to improve their businesses to make more profit and be able to create jobs.
She made the remarks as she handed over a tractor and agricultural implements to Sihle Maseko (29), a young farmer from Keiskammahoek under the Amathole District Municipality, on November 2.
Maseko, who holds a diploma in Agricultural Science, started farming in 2021 with only a hectare, but is now producing on 15 hectares.
Five of the 15 hectares are owned by his family, and 10 hectares is a 10-year lease from the community.
“We don’t want farmers that are always emerging and wanting handouts from government. Through our investments in your enterprises, we want to see black commercial farmers, as the majority are currently white.”
“Agriculture is a business, and it should not be practised leisurely, especially with the investment from government – we want to see returns. Government cannot afford to be always pumping money to farmers that are not growing; you need to graduate,” said Pieters as he handed over the tractor and its implements to Maseko.
She further urged the youth to follow in the footsteps of Maseko and begin to make a living from agriculture, instead of depending on their parents or engaging in criminal activities.
She asked,
Maseko produces a variety of vegetables, ranging from cabbages, butternuts and green mielies from his farm where he has employed 10 people.
His market extends to other districts such as Chris Hani and OR Tambo, and has regular buyers in Middeldrift, Alice, Keiskammahoek, East London, Peddie, and in other areas in the Amathole District.
There is a newly-built market facility by DRDAR in Keiskammahoek which will assist his marketing.
“I’m very excited with this support as it will help me produce more and grow my business to become a commercial farmer. I want to be able to create more jobs for my community, and inspire more youth to join this sector,” said Maseko.
Pieters also handed over cropping inputs that included maize seeds and fertiliser to the Keiskammahoek community projects.
