MEC commits to improve farmers lives
MEC Andries Gamede promises to buy more tractors and provide farmers with livestock to uplift and develop small scale farming.
MBOMBELA- Having done a commendable job in the Department of Human Settlements which was on the verge of collapse, Mr Andries Gamede has been given a tough and challenging department which has its own share of issues.
Gamede, the new MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land Administration and Environmental Affairs, says he is aware of the huge task that awaits him but that he is equally committed to do everything in his power to turn things around.
“Agriculture is the backbone of the province. We excel in this field, yet we aren’t producing enough farmers and not enough food to be exported to other countries such as Oman, a country with which we already have a trade relationship.
“But, I am happy to announce that we have a plan in place that will help our local farmers, especially those from rural areas and those previously disadvantaged.
“In order to achieve excellence and improve the lives of our people, we are going to buy more tractors which will be monitored by our officials because we know that some operators charge money for their services. I want to make it perfectly clear that the tractors are for the communities and if we find proof of misconduct, we are going to fire those in the wrong.”
He says his department, which is also tasked with the smooth running of the comprehensive rural develoment programme (Crdp), will continue to develop and uplift small-scale farmers. “We are going to provide livestock for them and we will ensure that these animals reach the desired destinations. We will also award bursaries to our young people who study agriculture and come back to invest their knowledge in this sector.”
He says he will focus on seven programmes which fall under his portfolio.
“We will thoroughly concentrate on indigenous forests to ensure that they are always looked after and preserved. We are also going to prioritise food security, soil erosion, animal control and environmental issues and we will look after the public parks. These are some of the programmes which we will focus on and I am certain that we will change our people’s lives.”
