Eastern Cape launches R80 million cropping programme

The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s most impoverished provinces, and this initiative brings hope and a tangible strategy for food security and economic upliftment.

One of the key beneficiaries of the programme, sorghum farmer Mawande Jama, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about its impact on his livelihood and community.

“This project has assisted us greatly. We planted sorghum, and the support created job opportunities from soil preparation to harvesting and even employed rangers,” Jama said.

For Jama and other farmers, this initiative represents not just an agricultural push but an opportunity to foster self-reliance and reduce unemployment in their village.

The cropping programme will see 22 564ha of land planted across the province, directly benefiting 10 953 communal and emerging farmers.

This massive agricultural undertaking is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on social grants by equipping people with the skills and resources needed to produce their own food.

Government’s commitment to sustainable solutions

“Empowering people with skills to produce their own food reduces dependence on social grants. We should replicate the lessons learnt from this programme and implement it nationally. It is through initiatives like these that the government can effectively tackle malnutrition and food insecurity, as highlighted by recent Stats SA reports,” said social development minister Sisisi Tolashe.

According to DRDAR spokesperson Atule Joka, the initiative’s success also hinges on the collaboration of multiple departments, including Social Development, SASSA, and Home Affairs, ensuring that communities receive holistic support, from crop production to accessing social services.

“The cropping programme promotes active land use, no matter its size, and encourages cooperation among various government sectors to address poverty in a comprehensive manner,” Joka said.

MEC of the DRDAR, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said the Eastern Cape has long been one of the most vulnerable regions in the country, and the department is determined to change that.

“We are heeding Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s call to revitalise agricultural production and create economic opportunities for our communities. The launch also saw the introduction of a R21,6 million import substitute project targeting local smallholder poultry producers. This forms part of the province’s broader efforts to diversify agricultural output and support smallholder producers in various sectors,” she said.

Since 2009, the DRDAR has planted over 309 930ha of crops, benefiting nearly 52 000 smallholder producers. The programme has generated over 538 000t of maize, a critical crop for both food security and the local economy.

DRDAR Chief Director for Agricultural Producer Support and Development, Nandi Ndudane, told Farmer’s Weekly about the importance of youth and female participation in these projects.

“We have invested a lot in youth and female farmers. We are working with private partners and other departments, and we believe this will bring real change,” Ndudane said.