IN its work to promote urban agriculture, Buffalo City Municipality has handed over land and tunnels for hydroponic farming to three co-operatives in Mdantsane.

The handover came after an urban farming strategy was drawn up by the municipality. According to a 2007 City report, in 2006 it began formulating its Integrated Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (IARDS). The IARDS looked at suitable options for urban areas - tunnel farming, hydroponics and high value crops were mooted because of the limited natural resources in urban areas.

Successful hydroponic farming was possible in Mdantsane, the study found. Through the consultation of ward councillors, three areas were chosen for the venture - Zone 6 (Ward 18), Zone 12 (Ward 22) and Zone 18 (Ward 24).

According to the report, the committee that undertook the study also agreed that the pilot should start in the chosen areas and that there should be on-going groups involved in urban agriculture in Mdantsane.

"[These] three co-operatives were agreed upon because they have been involved in urban agriculture for a number of years," according to the report.

Speaking at the official handover, on 7 August, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku congratulated the aspiring farmers, who already are yielding crops, on their accomplishments so far and their persistence and patience.

"Today you are [some] of the emerging farmers who will provide jobs and put food on the table in many households. Jobs are being lost every day because of economic recession; we need a local solution to solve it," she said.

"I want to you to use every opportunity and go beyond the borders of our province and even export to foreign countries."

Faku handed over three farming tunnels to the aspiring farming co-ops.

The project is a partnership between Buffalo City; the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme; the provincial department of economic development, tourism and rural development; and the provincial department of agriculture. Officials at the handover included the City's general manager for local economic development, tourism and rural development, Vuyani Mbatha, ward councillors and other government representatives.

Tomatoes will be the first product grown in these tunnels. Eastern Cape Province is well known for its tomato crops.

A successful hydroponics farmer and the current Amathole Region female farmer of the year, Nomthunzi Nduzulwana, explained hydroponic farming to emerging farmers, saying that they needed to preserve their crops. She also told them how to plant and gave them tips on making their own fertiliser.

"The farming sector is still developing in our communities; it is our duty as farmers to ensure its success. Let us mentor one another so we can achieve more," said Nduzulwana.

The Mdantsane Urban Agriculture Programme, as it is called, will not only see the growth of the farming sector but it will also generate about 40 direct jobs and a further 60 or more during picking and harvesting.

Some of the farmers from these areas received agricultural training from the provincial Department of Agriculture.