AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS SOUGHT TO FIGHT POVERTY
The best of the Eastern Cape's agricultural industry was on display at the Bhisho Showgrounds during the 2025 Agricultural Show.

The show showcases the Eastern Cape's rich agricultural legacy and its ambition for the future through a variety of demonstrations and activities.

Welcoming guests, BCM Mayoral Committee member Cllr Sangweni Matwele said:"I am happy and impressed with what I saw while we were doing the walk about, and this shows that people are working. I trust that Buffalo City will come first after the judges are done."

"I am also happy to see young people here, especially the learners being part of this event. We want to see young people involved in farm and not go to school to only get employeed but learn skills to free themselves economically and help their communities as well."

Giving her keynote address MEC for Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Nonceba Kontsiwe said: "We are here today to showcase what small scale farmers and community can do in this industry. The produce that we saw here is off good quality. This is why we encourage farmer to work land."

Talking about changes face by farmers, Kontsiwe said: "We are aware of the challenges that people are facing, and one of them farmers not having access to land. These are caused by a number of issues because in some ares people monopolize lans as tgeir while in some areas single mothers are not given land because of cultural values and systems."

"With all of that, we appreciate those that are able to utilise a piece of land and produce to gain profits. All the produce that is available here today is off good quality and can be sold in any shop."

"We appreciate fact that farmers are not sitting idle in their laurels whilst they know that they must contribute to the GDP of the province."

"What makes me happy is that these farmers have markets where they sell their produce and gain profit."

"We want to encourage other people who want to get into farming to stand up and ask for help from government and not see at home doing nothing.We encourage those who have the land but not using it to do so to fight poverty at the end of the day."

 

2025-06-19