The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture (DoA) has reaffirmed its commitment to helping emerging and communal farmers secure sustainable markets and financial support to grow their enterprises.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Speaking at the recent DoA Agricultural Show held at Mthatha Stadium in the OR Tambo District Municipality, MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said although farmers are producing diligently, they continue to face critical challenges in accessing markets and resources.
“What I have noticed here is that farmers are working hard, and we see this programme [the Agricultural Show], where they display what they have produced, as a valuable way to advance agriculture and as a cornerstone for marketing their produce,” said Kontsiwe.
She noted, however, that many local farmers are sidelined by retailers who prefer sourcing from companies outside the province. “The majority of them say they lack a market. It seems that when they go to retailers, they are undermined by managers and owners. We want to encourage them and assist them, together with different institutions, to access markets,” she explained.
Kontsiwe stressed the urgency of addressing market linkages for perishable crops such as vegetables. “We know, especially with vegetables, when they are harvested they can rot and [be wasted]. So, we want to encourage them and open up opportunities for finance to help expand their production,” she added.
Youth, Women and Small Businesses in the Spotlight
The MEC also expressed excitement at the involvement of agricultural high schools in the show, saying their participation is vital for cultivating both agricultural and entrepreneurial skills among young people. “I am happy to see that many farmers here are women and youth. I am especially happy the youth have joined in because they used to have a mentality that agriculture is for old, uneducated and dirty people, but now they are determined,” she said.
The show also extended beyond farming, showcasing seamstresses supported by the department with industrial machines to improve their production capacity. Kontsiwe said her vision was to see small businesses like this expand into mainstream clothing outlets.
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Award-winning seamstress Nobuntu Saka, who benefited from the department’s support, testified to the positive impact of the initiative. “The department has assisted us a lot. We now train the youth and women to fight poverty. We have shops in Port St Johns and at Mthatha Airport, but we want more markets and sewing materials. Our products are professionally made because of the machines from the department,” she said.
The cooperative sector was also represented, with Nombuyiselo Mlonyeni of Ingquza Hill Municipality highlighting the role of more than 100 cooperatives in farming, sewing and agro-processing. She outlined their efforts to produce vegetables, livestock, fruit products such as jam, and fabric, but stressed ongoing challenges. “We are determined to create jobs and fight poverty, but we need proper equipment, structures, fencing and water,” Mlonyeni said.
The Agricultural Show underscored both the potential and the persistent challenges facing the Eastern Cape’s small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs. With stronger institutional support, market access and resources, the province’s agricultural and agribusiness sector could play an even greater role in local economic development and job creation.
