The Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) Executive Mayor, Councillor Vukile Mhlelembana, handed over agricultural production equipment to 13 local farmers from various wards in Mbizana in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, last week.
This was part of the Agri-Parks programme, designed to support local farmers in the Alfred Nzo District. He was accompanied by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality Mayor, Councillor Daniswa Mafumbatha, the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for planning and economic development (PED), Councillor Banele Qwayede, and other dignitaries.
Mafumbatha said they were grateful to the ANDM for this programme to develop their farmers in Mbizana.
“It is equally encouraging to see the enthusiasm of local farmers towards working land.
“We hope the number of beneficiaries from our district will increase as the programme is rolled out,” said Mafumbatha. Explaining the purpose of this programme, Mhlelembana said that the idea behind this programme was to empower the farmers to become employers of other people by creating job opportunities.
He added that although this is not their priority and focus as the district municipality, they have a responsibility to assist the farming community to thrive, as they contribute immensely to economic growth and food security in the district.
“We also encourage you to use the materials you receive to become more productive so that we can decrease poverty and unemployment,” said Mhlelembana.
He added that the overall objective of this programme is to increase the level of production within agricultural sector, to intensify food security where the intent is to reduce high levels of unemployment and stimulate the district economic growth and development.
“We need the more experienced farmers to also motivate young people to get involved in working the land, as therein lies generational wealth.”
