Parliament, Thursday, 30 March 2023 – The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has heard that the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) provided support to 9 133 subsistence farmers in Mpumalanga during its first year during the 2020/2021 financial year. The committee was briefed by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in Mbombela yesterday.
Presenting to the committee on the first day of its week-long oversight visit programme in Mbombela, the Diputy Director General for Food Security at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Dr Jemina Moeng, said subsistence farmers from all three districts in the province have benefited from PES. About 4 233 subsistance famers were supported in Ehlanzeni District Municipality, 2 960 in Nkangala and 1 940 in Gert Sibande. The committee is currently on a three-day visit to assess the implementation and impact of the PESI on the agricultural sector.
The committee was also informed that R76 837 041.4 in vouchers have been issued among the three districts. Ehlanzeni received R46 563 439.30, Gert Sibande R16 196 216.05 and Nkangala R14 077 386.10.
PES is a national initiative announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa following the challenges various sectors of the economy faced during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. It is aims to revive the economy and address increasing unemployment. The national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development received R1 billion in order to assist and provide relief to distressed farmers affected by the pandemic.
Dr Mweni said the number of Mpumalanga farmers supported in the 2021/2022 financial year increased to 12 552 beneficiaries, and included farmers from the Solidarity Fund. “Three categories (Solidarity Fund, previous applicants of PES and the roll-over applicants) of subsistence farmers had received vouchers in 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years,” she said.
Dr Mweni further explained that the support is aimed at emerging farmers, particulary vulnerable individuals, such as women, young people and people with disabilities. The specific targeted commodities include, among others, fruit and vegetables, poultry, grains, and small and large stock.
The committee also conducted a site visit to two substance farmers in Barberton, a broiler and a vegetable farmer, to better understand PES’s impact in communities. Ntombifuthi Khoza, who produces chillies and butternut, received R8 000 worth of PES vouchers. However, the committee was unhappy to find a dry field, part of which was only prepared for ploughing on Monday, 27 March. Ms Khoza told the committee that she harvested 40 crates of chilles and 10 bags of butternut from her initial produce. However, she struggles to maintain an adequate water supply.
The committee was happy with the progress achieved by the broiler chicken farmer, Ms Thandekile Mavuso, who received R3 500 in PES vouchers in 2021. She has 300 layers and 200 broilers and is well supported by the local community who buy her produce. However, she needs more water and space for her business, if it is to grow.
The committee is today, Thursday 30 March, conducting a site visit in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Details of the sites to be visited:
Time: 08:00 to 13:00
• Visit to FMD Protection Zone – Red Line Fence
• Visit to Thulamahashe FPSU
• Visit to Huntington FPSU
Time: From 14:00
Group 1
• Beauty Mokoena at Nyongane – Vegetable production
• Busisiwe Mgiba at Nyongane – Vegetable production
Group 2
• Lalamang Siwele at Oakley – Grain Production
• Constance Riba at Shabalala – Groundnuts
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, NKOSI ZWELIVELILE MANDELA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Nolizwi Magwagwa (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 716 5824
E-mail: nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
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