Festive Food Relief Program empowers local farmers
In a momentous event on Thursday, December 21, Gauteng Province launched its festive food relief program, aiming to not only provide sustenance but also empower farmers for a self-reliant future.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Ms Mbali Hlophe, led the initiative, bringing hope to Magagula Heights residents in Ekurhuleni.
The highlight of the program was the distribution of agriculture starter packs alongside food parcels.
Over 500 families received packs containing seeds, seedlings, vegetable pyramids, fertilisers, watering cans, spades, and rakes.
Premier Lesufi emphasized the long-term impact, stating, “Through agriculture, we are providing a lifeline to our people. These agriculture starter packs are not just about today; they’re about empowering individuals to forge their path towards self-reliance, breaking free from the chains of dependency on the state.”
Since the start of the financial year, the initiative has reached over 13,800 households in Gauteng, extending beyond temporary relief. Mr. Mudini Maivha of NG Farm expressed gratitude, saying, “Through agriculture, we know we have a solution. These tractors will go a long way, and we promise to show you results.”
The program’s second phase focused on commercializing subsistence farmers, with eleven tractors handed over to smallholder grain farmers at Thahamiso Farm.
This not only marked the beginning of the planting season but also signaled a commitment to horticulture, vegetable production, grains, and maize production inputs in the province.
MEC Mbali Hlophe highlighted the unique approach, stating, “We’re not merely handing out food for a short period as historically done with food parcels; we’re teaching people how to feed themselves for eternity through the agriculture starter packs for household backyard farming. We’re about hand-ups, not handouts.”
The Gauteng Green Army programme, consisting of 6000 personnel on the ground, plays a crucial role in upskilling communities.
Positioned throughout the province, they help establish household backyard farms and community gardens, fostering agricultural skills among vulnerable groups, especially women and young people.
MEC Hlophe concluded, “In this season of giving, the Gauteng Provincial Government ignites a beacon of hope, echoing a powerful message of a province where no one goes to bed hungry, and every hand lifted towards a thriving, self-sufficient tomorrow.”
