By Matsobane Manaka
Kgošigadi Seopela and MEC Nakedi Kekana hand over fertilisers and chemicals to one of the beneficiaries, Kgwedi Papa of Kgwedi project.
MEC Nakedi Kekana accompanied by Chief Director Jethro Nowata, Kgoshigadi Seopela, Ward Cllr Moretsele Magane, and officials have distributed production inputs to 79 disaster affected farming projects of Schoornoord, Fetakgomo-Tubatse.
The move was necessitated by the hailstorms that wreck their infrastructure system (irrigation systems and shade nets) and crop production (both fruit and vegetables) on 132.72 hectares that subsequently led to severe damage costing millions of rands. The extend of the damage further results with the loss of farm income because the products that were meant for the markets are damaged by disasters. The loss of production amount to disruption to food security.
"Though this post disaster support through production inputs cannot replace your loss, but we felt it necessary as the department to intervene," says Jethro Nowata, Chief Director: Agric Development and Farmer Support.
MEC Nakedi Kekana has appreciated the farming community for continuing working hands in glove with the department. She further thanked them for continuing to contribute positively towards job creation, addressing food security and the economy.
Upon handing over, MEC warned those who have the tendency of selling the production inputs to refrain from doing so. She encouraged them to handle them like groceries in the house.
The handing out of production inputs is part of the department’s ongoing intervention to look after farmers affected by natural disasters. The department has recently assisted potato producers in Bochum area affected by black frost.
A team behind Disaster Management with top management: (from left) Jethro Nowata, Fhunzani Makhananisi, Romeo Mphahlele, MEC Nakedi Kekana, Kgošigadi Seopela, Doris Mashamaite and Thabiso Manaka.
