KwaZulu-Natal has the potential of becoming the bread basket of South Africa and the continent - says Premier Dube-Ncube.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube encourages communities to plant crops and vegetables to boost food security and the provincial economy battered by COVID-19, floods and the 2021 July unrest.

Premier Dube-Ncube was addressing scores of uGu District Municipality residents who came in their numbers to witness the provincial launch of the Multi-planting Season Programme, at Ikhwezi Village, under uMuziwabantu Local Municipality.

"KwaZulu-Natal has the potential of becoming the bread basket of South Africa and Africa, if we work hard enough to harness its full agricultural potential," said Premier Dube-Ncube.

"It is important that we put more effort in farming so that we open our own shops where we sell our produce at a price determined by us, and not by those who exploit our vulnerability as small-scale farmers. This will ensure food security and chase away hunger from our doorsteps.

Farming is a huge step on the road to becoming a millionaire, if we inculcate the culture of cultivating vast tracks of land with vigour and determination.

Farming our own crops and vegetables will go a long way in fending off the high prices of foodstuff and groceries," said Premier Dube-Ncube.

Working with the Department of Social Development, the Premier said the government aims to encourage local small-scale farmers to produce healthy food products which will cater for the elderly people.

By so doing, the Premier added, such a business venture will help small-scale farmers to be more productive and sustainable.

The Premier also reminded those who attended the Multi-planting Season Programme launch that the programme echoed the strong views of the departed Zulu Monarch, uZwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who encouraged the nation to invest in the cultivation of the soil.

"The departed King, uMdlokombane, held farming and the cultivation of the soil in high esteem because it enables people to cultivate their own food for sustenance and food security.

UBhejane phum' esiqiwini regarded farming as the gold of the land which was crucial in boosting the economy of the Province the community coffers.

In honour of the departed iSilo, let us continue to keep the home fires burning by tilling and toiling the land," said the Premier.

The Premier concluded her address by urging women and the youth to play a meaningful role in farming to mitigate the impact of hunger in our communities.

"It is said that the face of hunger in South Africa is that of a woman because women bear the brunt of hunger confronting the nation and the world.
Women and youth must use farming as a weapon to fight hunger, poverty and inequality.
Young people are the future of the nation and farming paves way to a bright food security future.
If we exclude women and youth from farming, we risk facing a bleak future," said Premier Dube-Ncube.
The Premier concluded her address by reassuring the people that the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to support communities and small-scale commercial farmers to improve food security and silence the hunger pangs through the Multi-planting Season Programme.