SA’s land reform minister is certainly on the right path

THE DEPARTMENT of Rural Development and Land Reform is changing the economic landscape of the Eastern Cape Province through its land reform programme.

On Friday, January 26, we witnessed the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti handing over 11 tractors and planting implements to nine co-operatives in the rural Eastern Cape to smallholder farmers who are part agricultural co-operatives in rural communities at Butterworth in the Eastern Cape.

These co-operatives formed the various local municipalities within the Eastern Cape Province and they are engaged in grain production.

Some of those who benefited from this initiative are women who are running their co-operatives. Many of these co-ops are fully involved in grain and vegetable production and are based in a number of municipalities across the province.

Growing the pool of emerging black farmers is one of the priorities of the department. Through the distribution of the 11 fully equipped tractors, the department is aiming to provide much needed support to the co-operatives in order to ensure growth in crop production in the area.

These co-operatives will also contribute towards improving food security, the Agriparks programme that aims to revive the agricultural sector as well as providing support to efforts to transform the rural economy.

The distribution of the fully-equipped tractors was putting mettle into the department’s desire to see the rise of vibrant and self-sustainable rural communities, which would help to ensure food security for rural communities.

The minister said his department was prioritising rural development. He said the department needed to revive the infrastructure of this area as we now focus on grain and vegetable production.

While the government valued the skills of white farmers, it must and should promote black farmers. The country needs both white and black farmers working together producing food for the country and the continent.