Bay agricultural projects failing

Metro to rethink funding model, support strategy

THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has ploughed R7.5-million into nine agricultural projects since 2003 and 90% of them have failed, forcing the city to rethink its funding model and support strategy.

Most of the crop-farming projects are dilapidated, with no money to show for their businesses.

A comprehensive report to the economic development, tourism and agriculture portfolio committee – which met yesterday – detailed how the cooperatives and hydroponics projects were struggling financially and needed support from the metro.

Executive director Anele Qaba said the Enjongweni Cooperative in Motherwell, which was established in 2003, had very little income.

There was also no formal system of financial management, no reports were generated and no annual or bi-annual meetings were held.

“As with other projects, members of this co-op refused to submit regular or periodic reports to the municipality to assess progress and the impact of the intervention [on] income generation and employment creation,” he wrote.

The Kwazakhele and Sandile cooperatives are in an even worse condition, with both unable to show any annual turnover and profit.

Qaba said the Kwazakhele cooperative was battling without water and electricity and there were problems of theft and a lack of proper skills.

“Members of the co-op feel that the level and quality of production would be greatly improved if the municipality could help them acquire [hydroponics] tunnels,” he reported.