New food security programme promotes sustainable living

Cooperative members and Tongaat Hulett representatives prepare to plant their food gardens

The programme was launched recently in Mbongolwane, Eshowe in an event that was attended by approximately 200 people, including community members, representatives from the KZN DARD and members of agricultural cooperatives in Mbongolwane. The programme will target nine cooperatives in four traditional leadership areas of Eshowe, Mbongolwane, Mvuzane, Vuma and Kholweni, resulting in the initiation of 45 food gardens.

Nkonzo Mhlongo, Tongaat Hulett's socio-economic development manager said the programme will use the farmer-to-farmer extension approach, to ensure sustainability. "This approach promotes grassroots flow of information and knowledge. It also recognises that farmers learn best from their peers."

"Tongaat Hulett has taken a hands-on approach since the project's inception, through engaging with community members and consulting with the KZN DARD to ensure that the programme is aligned with existing agricultural interventions in the area. Building a public-private partnership means going beyond funding a project. It means being actively involved and creating opportunities for consultative engagements to build meaningful relationships which will culminate in the implementation of sustainable initiatives."

"With the amplified focus on promoting an integrated and inclusive rural economy, the KZN DARD's resources are being stretched and therefore organisations like Tongaat Hulett are adding considerable value with the food security programme in the Umlalazi Local Municipality," explained Mhlongo.

Nkonzo Mhlongo (Tongaat) hands over seed parcels to cooperative members Bukani Shandu and Nokuthula Gcabashe.

A unified effort

Tongaat Hulett agricultural specialists, in consultation with representatives of the KZN DARD, drive some of the programme activities by collecting GPS coordinates, soil samples, seedlings and other necessary agricultural implements. They also facilitate training of community members in basic agricultural practices to ensure the application of appropriate practices and techniques. "The cooperative partnership with government, traditional leadership structures and the community is the programme's greatest achievement," said Mhlongo.

Data collected during the pre-implementation phase of the programme showed that the majority of the targeted households invested over half of their income towards purchasing the food they need to survive. As a result, these households were consuming food that was affordable but not nutritious. The programme will enable these households and community members to have reliable sources of affordable food.

The programme is one of many intervention projects the company has implemented in partnership with The Jobs Fund. In 2014 Tongaat Hulett was awarded R150 million by The Jobs Fund towards the establishment of sugarcane development initiatives. As part of the process, Tongaat Hulett also committed to implementing socio-economic development projects including, amongst others, education and training projects, a food security programme, a water project and health and welfare projects.