The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), recently handed over much-needed poultry feed to local farmers in Kariega.
The distribution, supported by NMBM Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe and the Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture (EDTA) Directorate, marked a significant boost for the local agricultural sector.
A total of 1 604 bags of poultry feed, valued at R846 697, were handed over to eight poultry farms. These farms are part of the Uitenhage, Despatch, Greenbushes, and Rocklands (UDGRO) secondary cooperative, a network committed to cooperative farming and economic development.
Addressing the event, MEC of Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, encouraged farmers in attendance to utilise the resources wisely and foster unity to achieve greater success. “It is important for you to work together and make the most of the resources provided. Unity will help you go further and achieve more as farmers,” said MEC Kontsiwe. She further committed to supporting the farmers through regular visits to monitor their progress and provide ongoing assistance.
Lobishe also expressed her appreciation for the initiative and reaffirmed the municipality’s dedication to supporting local farmers. “We welcome this support and remain committed to ensuring inclusive economic growth by empowering our farmers with the tools they need to succeed,” Lobishe said.
Additionally, Member of Mayoral Committee for EDTA, Councillor Bassie Kamana, highlighted the efforts to provide comprehensive support to the farmers beyond the poultry feed. “We are committed to offering additional resources, including providing poultry medication to ensure the farmers’ operations are effective and sustainable,” said Kamana.
Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya concluded that the municipality hopes that the handover event showcased the collaborative efforts of government stakeholders to strengthen the agricultural sector and empower local farmers. “This support is expected to contribute significantly to sustainable farming practices and inclusive economic growth in the region,” he said.
Sister publication, PE Express, recently reported that Kamana, along with Deputy Director for Urban Agriculture, Passmore Dongi, the Equleni Garden Project in NU29, Motherwell. A project stands as a beacon of community-driven success and sustainability.
Founded in 2023 by Monalisa Nomathamsanqa Badi, the garden has become a vital source of sustenance and community support. Badi, who leads the initiative, explained, “I sell the crops to my local community, which allows me to feed my family and support a crèche with a soup kitchen, as well as elderly residents and my church, where I serve as a pastor. With support from the Directorate, I am now able to change many lives. I also plan to expand to a nursery in the near future.”
The project has garnered support from the municipality, highlighted during the recent visit. “This is one of the projects we support under EDTA,” stated MMC Kamana. “Our goal is to empower individuals who want to pursue farming as a livelihood, helping them generate their own income. We encourage more residents to start similar initiatives, as this will ensure long-term food security in our communities.”
