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26 August 2008

Eastern Cape Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Agriculture Gugile Nkwinti is enthusiastic about the commercialisation of black honey producers and to support them with training, means to access market and funding.

The MEC emphasised that the department will play a significant role in ensuring that the landmark launch of organised black beekeepers association was not only an event but a process that will see growth and be sustainable and economically viable. He was speaking during the launch of the Eastern Cape Honey Producers Association (ECHOPA) at Frankfort village near Bhisho last week.

To this end, the department has trained about 30 extension and advisory officials while a monitoring and evaluation committee, which consists of six economists, one in each district. He believed that all the government departments should play an integral role in the development of black honey producers, adding that the business had an enormous potential of improving the economy of this province.

Among the departments that are involved in the development is the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, provincial Social Development Department as well stakeholders like the National Development, Agricultural Research Council and Total Transformation Agri business. "All the departments should take part in this initiative it has a great market. I love and encourage what I see here," he said.

At least 6 000 people from across the province and outside attended the launch, which was conducted at a site of Nkululeko Gomna who have more than 250 beekeeping boxes and is upbeat about the support he gets from the department.

The MEC revealed that when the idea of beekeeping among the black was mooted to him he was sceptical, but after engaging the farmers involved, he became motivated and he tasked department's training and economics sections to drive the programmes.

Referring to the management in the training section, the MEC said he was sure there was some more training coming so that the farmers, including departmental officials, were capacitated in beekeeping. Funding to the tune of R730 000 has been used to buy equipment for beekeepers and the MEC assured the crowds during the launch that the amount will be topped up.

Turning to local women, the MEC expressed disgust that they were not part of the Siyazondla homestead gardens programmes, which he describing as "key and close to my heart."

"I love the land here (Frankfort), it is so beautiful. I am worried that I could not see Siyazondla here," he said. He added that he would "come back and launch Siyazondla" in September or October, mandating officials to motivate the locals to be involved in Siyazondla so that they can feed themselves.

The event was graced by commercial farmers, consultants and advisors who all expressed positive views about the future of the association, especially if it was fully supported by government.

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Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
26 August 2008