Food security project yields results

Farmworkers are using unproductive land to grow vegetables for the community. Image: Wiki Images.

"The demand for our produce from the neighbouring villages is very high and with the support that we are getting from both government and the private sector, this agricultural project will never become a white elephant," Agricultural Co-Operative Chairman, Boitshoko Moacwi told SAnews.

The co-operative is part of government's Food Production Intervention programme called Fetsa Tlala (End Hunger) and it aims to promote self-sufficiency by supporting communities so they can produce food on communal and under-used land.

Moacwi said the co-operative - with 159 beneficiaries from Manyeding and the surrounding villages - is situated on a 137-hectare farm. They produce organic vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, green beans, cabbage and pumpkins.

"We have 24 permanent employees and I must tell you that people from this area are no longer traveling to Kuruman to buy vegetables because they know that we are the ones who are supporting Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar with our fresh produce," he said.

There are three tractors at the project and a centre-pivot irrigation system, which helps conserve water.

Project widely supported

The stakeholders involved in the project include Kumba Iron Ore; the National Development Agency (NDA); the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; the Baga Jankie Tribal Authority; the Joe Morolong Local Municipality and John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality.

Successful crop production in Kuruman. Image: Wiki Images

Fetsa Tlala aims to promote self-sufficiency by supporting and helping communities to produce food on communal and under-utilised land in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the North West.

The main commodities farmed are maize, beans, wheat, sunflower, ground nuts and potatoes. Once the crops are produced and harvested, government ensures there is sufficient support for small-, medium- and micro-enterprises in the processing sectors to mill or pack the vegetables.

During September this year, Cabinet passed the integrated food and nutrition security policy. The policy was the collaborative work of the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), and Social Development (DSD).

Fetsa Tlala will be financed through, among others, the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP). Allocations to provinces will be dedicated to food production, either crop or livestock production.

Through Fetsa Tlala, one million hectares of productive agricultural land, which has been lying fallow, is targeted for production over the next five years.