OF the 1.2 billion people living on the African continent, 350 million go without food.
This gloomy picture was painted by the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the uMhlathuze/uMfolozi region, Sipho Shandu.
Addressing farmers at the uMhlathuze Traditional Food and Craft Farmers Day in KwaBhejane, Shandu said the reality is that food is becoming very scarce and ‘if agriculture is not taken seriously, we are heading for disaster’.
Shandu said the revival of events such as farmers days held importance as it provided a platform for emerging farmers to share experiences on how best to boost their produce.
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‘These platforms must be used profitably by all farmers present here. People must gain something from being here. Go back to your communities and start your gardens.’
Shandu also appealed to farmers to introduce their children to the agricultural sector.
‘My wish is to see the youth getting actively involved in food production and in agriculture as a whole.
‘In uMhlathuze and uMfolozi we have assisted young people who are passionate about this sector and we are willing to assist more. But we need people who are dedicated and hard workers.
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‘We commit ourselves to provide 150 fruit trees and five tractors to each municipality, as well as 30 ‘one home, one garden’ projects to those people who live below the poverty line,’ he said.
According to Hlengiwe Ndlovu, a Value Adding Advisor at the uMhlathuze agricultural office, the intention is to encourage local farmers and community members to utilise their locally grown and available traditional foods to ensure household food security.
‘We are here to promote traditional food which is healthy and contains all the vitamins. Much of the food we eat these days do not add value to our bodies.’
Lwazi Mtshali of the uThungulu Fresh Produce Market urged farmers to raise the bar in their food production.
