By: Mbuso Kunene

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu officially opened the first milling plant in KwaNongoma at Maphophoma area, and handed 59 tractors to local famers on Saturday.

Mchunu said that it is now the time for black farmers to be part of farming in the province.

“One of the things that the department of agriculture is focusing on, is food security as part of their overall responsibility and also to ensure that food could be produced at the most local
area,” Mchunu said.

“One of the errors that we’ve been doing in the past is to turn the Department (of Agriculture) into a farmer and let the local people be spectators,” he added.

KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Cyril Xaba, said that the province has been identified as a province of hunger.

“In KZN it has been reported that 3.2 million people are in poverty and the Department of

Agriculture has been appointed by the provincial government to fight poverty in the province,” said Xaba.

Chairperson of Maphophoma Primary Co-Operative Skhumbuzo Ntombela, bowed down as he shook hands with the premier showing his happiness.

“We are very happy by this gift. As the community we still believe that everything we need for a living comes from the soil,” Ntombela said.

Ntombela added that the only thing that they are now concerned about is rain, as the province is hit by drought. But, they trust and pray to God for rain.