Agriculture project empowers the poor

A partnership formed by the Mnquma Local Municipality and five Eastern Cape tertiary institutions to keep poverty at bay has seen more than 120 young people receiving training in farming, crop production, piggery, poultry, livestock and business management.

Image Source: Highlands Meander - Butterworth

The municipality serving the Butterworth area says the beneficiaries of this partnership have since progressed to starting their own small, medium and micro-sized enterprises using the skills acquired through the programme. The programme is aimed at assisting communities through providing skills, education and identifying research areas.

Mnquma spokesman Loyiso Mpalantshane said that in 2014 the municipality had forged a partnership with the University of Fort Hare, NMMU, Walter Sisulu University, King Hintsa Training College and Fort Cox College of Agriculture. Yesterday, a launch was held in Butterworth where the venture was sealed through the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Mnquma and the five institutions.

Mnquma mayor Baba Ganjana said the municipality had realised that to develop and grow its economy it needed to partner with the institutions. "These institutions have the capability to conduct research, formulate plans and implement them, hence we decided to work hand-in-hand with them," he said.

"This is an investment in our young people because we expect them to get the training and apply those skills in developing the municipality."

Dr Ntombovuyo Wayi of Fort Hare said the institutions' role was to facilitate capacity building, provide training and conduct research.

Source: Herald