Deputy Minister Capa and MEC Shiba handing over the new machinery
By Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga MEC for the Department of Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs(DARDLEA), Busisiwe Shiba, visited the sugarcane irrigation projects in Nkomazi, alongside the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Nokuzola Capa, on Monday 15 April, to monitor the work towards the rehabilitation of Malelane/Komati Sugarcane Farms irrigation system.
The visit also extended to one of the renovated office buildings that serve as offices and storage.
According to a statement released by DARDLEA, the National Department has replaced ageing infrastructure by introducing efficient and climate-smart technologies with improved irrigation efficiency and lower cost energy. This initiative is reportedly done in collaboration with the South African Farmers Development Association(SAFDA).
“ During a stakeholders engagement in Mzinti, sugarcane farmers lauded the government’s intervention in this regard. There’s over 1400 small-scale growers in Nkomazi, operating on some 9400 hectares of irrigated sugarcane, producing approximately 600 000 tons on an annual basis,” said DARDLEA in a statement.
Other dignitaries at the event included officials from Ehlanzeni District, Nkomazi Municipalities and members of the Traditional Leadership, who witnessed the hand over of machinery to the small-scale growers.
