Struggling EC farmers receive boost from club

SUBSISTENCE farmers from the Eastern Cape have been given a boost by the Humana Farmers Club.

Humana People to People received a R1.8-million donation from Kraft Foods towards helping struggling farmers.

The organisation has been existence for 32 years and specialises in projects that centre on training, agriculture, fighting HIV, community development and environmental issues.

Nonikile Tshutsheni from Xhora village near Coffee Bay is one of those benefiting from the farmers’ club.

“Life is hard for us out Poverty is a real problem.

“But with this Humana project, we are now able to farm our land and the youth from our area are finally employed.

“This project has given

here.

us

a reason to get morning.”

Tshutsheni, along with her unemployed husband and two grandchildren, runs a vegetable farming project.

She said before the aid, the family relied solely on her old age pension and grants for her grandchildren.

Her eldest son used to seek small jobs around the village but what little money he earned, the family used towards the children’s education.

Tshutsheni said although their situation had improved drastically, the community still faced issues such as no water in the area.

Getting potable water involved a full day’s walk, which became gruelling when returning with full buckets on their heads.

“In the morning we watch the children when they wash so that we can save the cleaner water

out of bed

in

the which we then re-use in our gardens.

“We are now pleading with Humana to further extend a hand,” Tshutsheni said.

The R1.8-million donation will be phased in over a three-year period and a total of 400 farmers are set to benefit from the fund through training sessions.

Kraft Foods manufacturing director Johan van Zyl said the project would see small-scale farmers equipped with knowledge on sustainable agriculture practices.

“Sustainable agriculture resonates with what we most seek to achieve among communities because not only those directly involved in our programmes are able to become self-reliant, but also their families and communities stand to benefit from the skills acquired in growing nutritious food,” Van Zyl said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za