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26 January 2006

Seven locations in the Chris Hani District Municipality are to benefit from a million project set by the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture. The project was initiated by the Department with the view to sustain use of natural resources for profitable agricultural production. This project would be launched by MEC Nkwinti at Glen Adelaide Junior Secondary School at Mpheko village in Emalahleni Municipality on 27 January 2006, commencing at 10h00.

The objectives of the project according to Mr Mcitheka, the Manager for the project is to:
* promote and implement landcare project within local municipality of Emalahleni
* eradicate and control noxious weed and invader species
* rehabilitation of degraded natural resources
* promotion of sustainable land use practices within landcare

Mr Mcitheka said the one million was allocated to eradicate noxious weed on an area of 408 hectors. He said workers were hired on a fortnight schedule and were monitored by two supervisors with the guidance of agricultural officers, where a worker received at least 0,6 hectors. This project has had an impact on the community because it has created jobs for 808 temporary workers for a period of four months with a minimum payment of a thousand rands. “There is also an improvement in the general condition of their veld to sustain their livestock which is a source of income for their livelihoods,” added Mcitheka.

Enquiries:
Thando Sonjica
Tel: (040) 6093 402

Mr Mcitheka
Cell: 082 4498 434

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
26 January 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)