by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
In her capacity as MPL deployed in the Cradock constituency, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth hands over food parcels, fresh vegetables, dignity packs and sanitizers to Hawkers in Cradock. With Hawkers being an integral part of the South Africa’s economy, offering easy access to a wide range of goods and services in public spaces, the impact of the COVID-19 on Hawkers and small businesses has been severely disrupted by COVID-19.
COVID-19 has affected Hawkers’ businesses, with some being unable to put food on the table. MEC Meth therefore felt it necessary to help this sector to continue putting food on the table for their families as the business have been disrupted by COVID-19.
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
LIFE LINE FOR FARMERS
MORE than 10 000 farmers across the Eastern Cape have responded to the clarion call made by government, to apply for financial relief during the COVID-19 the announcement came just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Coronavirus outbreak as a disaster and put in place a 21-day lockdown.
Minister of Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza announced that government has allocated R1.2-billion to provide financial assistance to small-scale farmers across the country so as to protect the country’s food supply chain during the lockdown and beyond.
Amongst the commodities included in the financial relief are:
- Poultry: Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
- Other Livestock: Feed and medication.
- Vegetables: Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction
- Other commodity sectors were evaluated on a case by case basis, as the Department continuously monitors the impact of COVID-19 on the sector at large.
It was also announced that farmers on Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) farms would benefit from the financial relief, in that R 400m of the R1.2 billion is allocated in line with the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s Stimulus Package. Part of the R 1,2-bn allocation is allocated to support communities in the OR Tambo District where the District Development Model is being piloted with hygiene products as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Meth has also handed over personal protective equipment like gloves, sanitisers and masks to smallholder farmers across the province Applications are submitted in local offices and will be evaluated in in districts, Provincial and National structure
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has swiftly reacted to the outbreak of the African armyworms that pose a threat on the province’s food security. On Thursday (April 9, 2020), the department responsible for sustainable food production distributed insecticides to farmers in Fairban Village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality under the Amatole District. Backpack and boom sprayers mounted to three tractors to fumigate a farmland of more than 400 hectares accompanied the insecticides. The department has roped in youth to help in the eradication of the worms.
Armyworms attack leaves of plants mostly in the grass family, which include maize, lurcene, sorghum and pasture. Because of the deadly cyanide poison that is associated with the armyworms, livestock that has fed or feeds on pastures infested with the worms are at a risk of dying. Among the symptoms of an animal that has fed on contaminated feed are swelling, twitching, and bloated stomach that lead to death. So far, four animals’ goats and cattle- have died in the area as a result of the armyworms.
Mbi is a member of a co-op that produces and sells livestock feed across the Eastern Cape Province. “We had to act fast so we can save the feed we are growing at the farm. And the worms came at a time where were preparing to harvest,” she said.
One of the farmers who grow animal feed in Fairban Village, Nobuntu Mbi (54) said they found out about the armyworm in their field on March 31 and immediately reported to the department.
MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth said her department has activated a technical team to arrest the outbreak. The known affected regions are Amatole and Alfred Nzo.M EC Nomakhosazana Meth combatting the deadly African armyworm.
She said in spite of the novel corona virus that has forced the country into a lockdown to help curb the spread of the virus, the country still needs to be fed and the Arican armyworm is a threat to food production.
“The country needs food even if we are on a lockdown”. It is for that reason that we had to make ways to deal with the situation before it worsens our problems. But we have a group of highly qualified experts to deal with such situations,” said Meth.
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
MEC METH VISITS MTHONGANA FARM
AMID the COVID-19 outbreak that has forced the country into a lockdown except for essential service providers, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth continues to ensure business continuity in the agricultural sector takes place in compliance with regulations.
The province to enforce adherence of the lockdown regulations but most importantly to provide necessary s u p p o r t t o t h e f a r m s .
Agriculture was announced among the essential services when many sectors were forced to halt trade activities and close their doors as a measure to curb the spread
Since the announcement, Meth has taken an initiative to visit farms in the province to enforce adherence of the lockdown regulations but most importantly to provide necessary s u p p o r t t o t h e f a r m s.
The surprise visits began this month where Meth upon engaging with farm workers and managers distributes sanitizers and protective wear meant to flatten the spread of the virus.
Meth, accompanied by departmental officials and municipal leadership, visited the Ngqushwa- based Mthongana Farm that currently specializes in livestock and crop farming. Mthongana Farm operates within Ngqushwa Local Municipality under the Amatole District.
by Olwetu Batyi | May 4, 2020 | atp1
MEC METH INSPECTS WILLOW TREE CITRUS FARM’S COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 REGULATIONS
With the agricultural sector declared as an essential service, the MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has taken a drive to visit commercial farms as well as smallscale farmer’s adherence and compliance to the COVID-19 regulations.
With regulations outlined and published in the amendment to the Disaster Management Act of 2002 that have been put in place as the South African government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, farms are required to comply whilst food production for food security is less affected. These regulations apply to the ways in which farms are expected to operate during the country’s lockdown period.
MEC was happy with the reports from workers confirming compliance by their employers. The report given by workers included the manner in which farm workers were transported and the precautions taken to ensure their health and safety during COVID-19.
MEC Meth said, “The manner in which this farm complies with COVID 19 regulations is impressive. They have appreciated the contribution of masks and sanitizers we have brought as addition from the department”
MEC’s donating PPE supplies to farm workers to help combat the spread of the virus.
The MEC further joined workers as they were busy with fruit picking (harvesting).
During the visit, Meth explained COVID-19 and how farm workers could protect themselves against the virus , reduce chances of contracting and spreading it.
