To create vibrant agricultural communities and improve food security, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has rolled out the Multi-Planting Season Programme in eMadungeni area of Ixopo, under the Harry Gwala District today.
The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, together with the Harry Gwala District Mayor Cllr Zamo Nxumalo and Mayor of uBuhlebezwe Local Municipality Cllr Bathobile Ngubo officially rolled out the planting season programme in the District.

Through this programme communities across the District will be provided with specialised support that will assist them in their efforts to till the land.
The planting season programme provides comprehensive support to communities who want to work the land. Through the programme 3500 hectares of land are earmarked for farming produce such as cabbages, carrots and other vegetables.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is providing millions of seedlings and farming equipment such as tractors for this purpose.

The District’s MEC champion Mr Sipho Hlomuka, called upon the community to make use of the support that is being provided by government through the roll-out of the planting season programme. “The support that government is bringing is to ensure that our communities have food security, we must not turn our backs on working the land. Many of us grew up planting in our homes, let us continue with that good culture so that we have our own food and we can take care of our families," said MEC Hlomuka.

MEC Sithole-Moloi called for the youth to look at the sector as a possible career: “We all have to eat, no one can survive without food, as young people of Harry Gwala District you are blessed with vast amounts of land which need to be worked on. Lacking knowledge in the agricultural sector leaves many communities unable to derive income which is important. I encourage our people in rural communities to consider cultivation of land and livestock to be central pillars of their lives.”
Mayor Nxumalo welcomed the annual rollout of this programme as it reminds communities about the importance of farming. “As a District, we have experienced good rains and are excited at the opportunity this programme presents to us".
Nxumalo expressed his happiness with the significant increase in the number of people who are turning to farming who hail from the eMadungeni community and appealed to the youth and women in particular to follow suit.
A beneficiary, Mr Mkhipheni Memela (65), from Atlas Co-operative, based at Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality said he was grateful for the support from the government.
As part of the programme launch, the MEC's and Mayors handed over farming implements to the different cooperatives.