In a bid to curb poverty and improve the farming sector to increase efficiency, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, led by Hon. MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, handed over the planting season household food security production inputs to the community of Mpusheni under the eThekwini Metro on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.

The handover of these agricultural inputs is part of the Department's efforts to assist farmers, enabling them to produce optimally and to sustain produce, resulting in enhanced economic opportunities for farmers and surrounding communities.

As mentioned at the Multi-planting Season Inauguration Launch, the programme is now being rolled out in all 11 Districts of the Province. About 700 local farmers have thus far benefitted from grain commodities containing fertilizers, seeds and seedlings.

During the official handover of production inputs in Mphusheni, KZN DARD MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa encouraged farmers in eThekwini to actively participate in food production to tackle food insecurity and contribute to the agricultural economy.

"As a Department, we encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture because it is where their wealth lies and they will be able to contribute to the economy, create job opportunities, combat poverty and malnutrition and most importantly, ensure food security," said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.