BuaNews (Tshwane)
27 August 2008
Mthatha — Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka visited three food-producing projects run by women in the Eastern Cape this week.
Rounding off Women's Month in Dutywa, the Deputy President said she was encouraged by the provincial women's efforts to fight poverty.
The three food-producing projects are run by women who are determined to fight hunger by taking part in the provincial Department of Agriculture's programmes - the Siyazondla and Massive Food production programmes.
The Siyazondla Homestead Programme, encourages women to plant backyard gardens. The women are supplied with gardening tools such as spades, forks, rakes, weed and insecticide as well as training and on site visits and monitoring.
"I like that you are doing it for yourselves. This project is great and we need to take it forward," said Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The projects have made a difference in the lives of the Mbashe residents, she said, adding that government's recently launched poverty eradication intervention required "households change agents" such as the women in Mbashe.
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka announced that there will be a massive intervention by government to ensure the economic growth of communities involved in the large scale Massive Food Production Programme, which is part of the Green Revolution Strategy piloted in the area.
Addressing more than 20 000 people at the stadium, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka stressed that there was a need for the private sector to come forth and support such women capacitating initiatives.
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka also complimented the provincial agriculture department for the visibility and supportive role they have played, adding that the flock of sheep she saw in almost every household during her tour to villages was evidence of their success.
Mbashe has become the home of the Green Revolution since the launch of the pilot Massive Food Production Programme on 22 July 2005.
Farmers told the Deputy President that they want to work hard and become fully-fledged commercial farmers. She said she would send officials of the Department of Trade and Industry to the area give them advice and guidance on how the farmers can be economically stable.
She promised to engage other departments like the Roads and Public Works to revamp the dilapidating roads that can threaten the growth of the projects.
Other departments include the Agriculture and Land, so that they can provide fencing on the fields and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry to curb the scarcity of water in the region.
"I will come back by the end of the year to check progress because I want to help you improve the living standards in this region," said Ms Mlambo Ngcuka.
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