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20 November 2008

The Hon MEC of Agriculture Gugile Nkwinti cordially invites all journalists to the launch the Umzimvubu Soil Erosion which is an Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative South Africa (Asgisa) intervention in a bid to take care of the land for the development of rural areas through farming.

The event will be honoured by the presence of the National Minister of Environmental Affairs, who has shown interest in these environment sensitive projects implemented in rural areas, where not many people are knowledgeable about environmental issues.

The department continues its strides in bringing service delivery to the people and it will showcase the achievements of the implementation of the Asgisa programme at the Umzimvubu Basin through Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative South Africa's (Asgisas) intervention land care projects at Balasi and Kubedlana village.

According to MEC Nkwinti; the formation of Asgisa and its high level strategy in the introduction of mega agricultural development projects, the integrated cropping (bio-fuels) and livestock improvement brings exciting and positive development.

The Balasi and Kubedlana land care projects focus mainly on the crop production. Currently, Asgisa in a joint venture with the agriculture department that is busy ploughing the land with the express purpose of planting crops.

The theme of the launch is; "Towards sustainable utilisation of natural resources."

Members of the media are invited to be part of the delegation, which will include the MEC, the minister as well as senior officials from both national departments of agriculture and public works and Asgisa when they visit projects at Balasi and Kubedlana on Tuesday, 26 November 2008.

After this visit the media is invited to be part of a media briefing where the officials will explain the progress made by Asgisa on the implementation of its agricultural projects and the media will afforded an opportunity for questioning.

The actual launch will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2008 at 09h0 at Balasi Junior Secondary School in Qumbu.

Details of the proceedings:

Date: 26 November 2008
Venue: Balasi JSS (Assemble point and press conference)
Function: Visiting projects and press briefing

Date: 27 November 2008
Venue: Balasi JSS
Function: Launch of land care projects
Time: 09h00

For more information contact:
Anele Valela
Tel: 040 609 3965
Cell 073 550 5025
E-mail: vanele@webmail.co.za

Thozi Manyisana
Cell: 073 263 3754

Mr Mdakana
Cell: 083 625 3410

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
20 November 2008