Municipality celebrates Farmers Day
Mayor Myeza said that R5 million has been set aside to assist farmers with resources
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality (ILM) celebrated Farmers Day yesterday (September 18) at the Estcourt Town Hall, where farmers and other agricultural stakeholders were invited to be part of the event.
Happiness was written all over the faces of farmers from Estcourt and surrounding areas when ILM Mayor Mduduzi Myeza, together with Deputy Mayor Sthabiso Dladla and councillors, presented agricultural tools to some of them. These tools included wheelbarrows, pipes and fencing.
Addressing those present, Mayor Myeza said, “It is a great pleasure for me to stand in this municipal building where, two years ago, we were sworn in as councillors and when I was elected and accepted as the mayor. I did that because I fully understood the challenges facing our people, especially budding entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. It is undisputed that budding entrepreneurs do not receive proper support and assistance.
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“The party I come from, which is the Inkatha Freedom Party, released a document of promises for the May 2024 elections, under a 13-point manifesto plan, and one of them we committed to is the development of the agricultural sector.
“Speaking of which, MEC for Agriculture & Rural Development Ka Madlopha-Mthetha has opened the opportunity for entrepreneurs who are in the agricultural sector to apply for funding in the 2025/2026 financial year. The step we have taken today as a council, in collaboration with all the stakeholders, is to participate in this area – not only by blowing the whistle on the development of small businesses, but we have arrived today with the tools you see in front of you.” said Myeza.
He went on to say that they understand the many challenges farmers are facing in this very important sector of the economy, including: start-up or business development funds; the market where products can be delivered; lack of agricultural inputs; theft of livestock, which has become so rampant; roads to the fields where they work; and fencing.
The Department of Agriculture and other agricultural stakeholders taught the farmers how to take care of their livestock and said they must be assisted to find a market for their products.
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