R6m dry bean project to benefit communities
The communities of the Amajuba District Municipalities in the northern part of the KwaZulu-Natal are to benefit from a R6 million dry bean corridor massification project.
This project was unveiled on Saturday, 23 February, by the MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs in the province, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu at Dicks Halt.
According to the department, the Amajuba Dry Bean Project forms part of the Corridor and Massification Programme.
This was one of four high impact programmes announced by the MEC during last year's budget speech.
Promoting economic and employment opportunities
Mthimkhulu said the main objective of the Dry Beans Project was to promote economic growth by unlocking the market potential of agricultural commodities, while at the same time creating employment opportunities.
In addition, the project promotes food security in the Amajuba District Municipalities.
More than 430 beneficiaries from six different cooperatives are set to benefit from this Dry Bean Project.
The six cooperatives include Dicks Dry Bean, Eastborne Dry Bean, Ennis Dry Bean, Nkosi Nzima Land Reform Dry Bean project, Kingsley Land Reform Dry Project and Waaihoek Land Reform Dry Bean.
Land reform programme
The dry bean is grown on land which formed part of the land reform beneficiary's programme.
The department also stated that these communities were then given business skills training and giving information on how to manage their money.
“At the moments my department is embarking on campaign were we visiting different communities in KwaZulu-Natal and launching community development projects.
“We hope it going to change the lives of our poor people to better and to fight hunger and diseases in the province,” said Mthimkhulu.
He also said the department of agriculture and an environmental affair was going to launch similar projects in all the districts of the province.
Mthimkhulu also urged the local livestock farmers to take make sure that their stock in a high standard, so that they can export them.
“With that they can take part in the economy of this country.
“Emerging farmers needs to learn that they are farmers not only to feed their families, but also to supply the international markets as well,” said Mthimkhulu.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
