Mbhashe Local Municipality has called on maize production projects to submit applications for support from the local authority’s Maize Support Programme.
Municipal spokesperson, Babalwa Magqwanti, said that the programme was meant to stimulate, promote, and commercialise production of local emerging farmers.
“The Mbhashe Local Municipality, through its reviewed Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy, has earmarked Agricultural Development as one of its cogwheels to promote pro-poor and inclusive economic development.
Thus, the Maize Support Programme remains one of the strategic interventions to stimulate, promote, and commercialise production to local Emerging Farmers that are involved in crop production. More importantly, this forms part of the municipality’s efforts to respond to challenges that confront start-up farmers who have the potential to contribute immensely to the growing economy of the country at local level,” she said.
The support will be in the form of maize seeds, Magqwanti said, for maize production to make full use of the under-utilised arable land growing into large-scale production. The programme also aimed at promoting the growth of smallholder and emerging farmers, and to assist rural farmers with tested cultivar produced to withstand existing climate conditions.
“Applications are open to maize producing projects located within the Mbhashe LM wards and have ploughing fields. We strongly encourage Historically Disadvantaged Individuals, such as youth, women, and people living with disabilities, to use this opportunity to apply.
Application forms are available in both isiXhosa and English at our LED offices, and on our digital platforms for download. For more information on the support programme, enquiries may be forwarded to LED officer Bafo Mabiya on 063 689 0665 or via e-mail mabiyab@mbhashemun.gov.za,” Magqwanti said.
