Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg have launched Smallholder Farmer Commercialisation and Mechanisation Programme in Eikenhof, Johannesburg on Thursday. Makhubo was joined by a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development Cllr Eunice Mgcina.
“I am joined by Members of the Mayoral Committee in Eikenhof (Region G) for the launch of the Smallholder Farmer Commercialization and Mechanisation Programme. As part of today’s launch, we took a trip around the farm to officially open the tunnels that have been constructed,”
“We also inspected the tractors that have been donated through the assistance of private businesses and Gauteng’s Department of Agricultural and Rural Development,”
This was indicated by the Mayor during the launch of the Smallholder Farmer Commercialization and Mechanisation Programme. According to him over the past 5 years, the City’s Food Resilience Unit and partners have been supporting the farming sector.
Makhubo added and said that the support aimed to modernise their operation through commercialization that seeks aid a transition from subsistence to income-generating agricultural practices.
“Through this program, Smallholder farmers are assisted to adopt modern farming infrastructure, machinery and equipment’s that improves production levels and income. As part of the day’s proceedings, the Food Resilience Unit will display the tractors that have been bought for farmers,”
“20 additional tunnels that have been constructed through the support of Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agro-processing products, vegetables and mobile chicken abattoir.” he added.
