Massive drive to revitalise farming

[caption id="attachment_197891" align="aligncenter" width="630"] MAPPING THE WAY FORWARD: Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane with The Herald and Weekend Post deputy editor Nwabisa Makunga at the breakfast, held at the Marine Hotel
Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN[/caption]

Eastern Cape rich with chances to offer food security, says MEC

The Eastern Cape “needs to develop an obsession for agriculture” – one of the biggest, most diverse and opportunity-rich industries in the province. Bhisho is on a massive drive to revitalise the industry and it has set its sights on getting more young people involved.

Speaking at a post-policy speech business breakfast hosted by The Herald and the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform yesterday, MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane unpacked his plans for the next financial year, highlighting the importance of agricultural development to ensure food security.

“We represent every household because food is a cornerstone of every human’s existence,” Qoboshiyane said.

“We need to create a new obsession in the province of the Eastern Cape.

“We need a new character for this province with its natural endowments – soil, land, wind, water, rivers, oceans and the human potential to ensure that we become food secure.”

Qoboshiyane said his department was focused on bringing small and emerging farmers into the commercial field. This was as the average age of commercial farmers in the province was 56 and there were not enough young people emerging to take over.