MHLONTLO LOCAL MUNICIPALITY Agriculture for better livelihoods

A step towards empowering rural communities and advancing agricultural practices was marked on the 5th September 2023, as the MEC of the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Peters, paid a visit to the Amampondomise Kingdom under the Mhlontlo Local Municipality.

MEC Peters’ mission was to deliver a valuable package of agricultural

assets, including a tractor with full implements, ten sets of garden tools with wheelbarrows, and a prestigious Nguni Bull.

The arrival of MEC Nonkqubela Peters was met with excitement and anticipation from the residents of the Amampondomise Kingdom, a community deeply rooted in agriculture. The visit highlighted the commitment of the provincial

government to bolstering agricultural activities in rural areas, thereby improving the livelihoods of local farmers.

The centerpiece of the day’s event was the formal presentation of a state-of-the-art tractor equipped with a range of farming implements. This machinery, complete with plows, harrows, and seeders, promises to revolutionize farming practices in the

region. The tractor and its implements will significantly enhance agricultural productivity, enabling local farmers to cultivate larger areas and increase their yields.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our rural communities, and these gifts are a testament to our dedication to strengthening this sector,”

MEC Nonkqubela Peters

The sets of garden tools and wheelbarrows are tailored to meet the specific needs of the local agricultural practices, and they are expected to make the work of farmers more efficient and productive.

The crowning moment of the visit was the gift of a magnificent Nguni Bull, a breed renowned for its adaptability and resilience. The Nguni Bull is expected to not only improve the local livestock population but also contribute to the production of highquality beef and dairy products.

MEC Nonkqubela Peters, in her address to the Amampondomise community, emphasized the importance of rural development and the government’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of rural residents. “Agriculture is the backbone of our rural communities, and these gifts are a testament to our dedication to strengthening this sector,” she stated. “We hope that these resources will empower our farmers and contribute to food security and economic growth in this region.”

Local leaders, including traditional authorities, expressed their gratitude for MEC Peters’ visit and the generous gifts bestowed upon the community. “This day will be etched in the history of our kingdom as a turning point in our agricultural

journey,” said a representative of the Amampondomise community. “We are deeply grateful to MEC Nonkqubela Peters and the government for their support.”

The visit by MEC Nonkqubela Peters to the Amampondomise Kingdom serves as a shining example of government

commitment to rural development and agricultural advancement. As the tractor’s engine roars to life, the garden tools find their place in fertile soil, and the Nguni Bull takes residence in the local livestock herd, the Amampondomise Kingdom stands poised for a brighter, more prosperous future in agriculture.