Young farmers in the Eastern Cape are set to benefit from improved irrigation infrastructure, which will enable them to extend their growing season, increase production and create employment opportunities. This follows a multimillion rand investment in infrastructure handed over to farmers in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality, OR Tambo. The infrastructure aims to help increase agricultural production and promote inclusive economic growth.
Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over the infrastructure on Wednesday, as part of the department’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities. The programme started at Sigubudwini village, where the MEC handed over infrastructure to support Vivi-Am Holdings, a youth-led enterprise focusing on vegetable production.
The infrastructure includes an irrigation system, storage infrastructure and fencing valued at R3.8 million. The irrigation system covers 11 hectares of land under production, while the fencing extends over 20 hectares. Vivi-AM young farmer, Sihle Guzane, said the improved irrigation system has made it possible for the enterprise to strengthen production capacity.
Guzane mentioned that the irrigation system gives them an opportunity to plant throughout the season, and since the infrastructure is of a better standard than the one they used to have, their crops receive sufficient water to help them grow. The increased production capacity has also enabled the enterprise to create employment opportunities, with both permanent and seasonal workers appointed as the operation expands.
The project also received a tractor from the department in June, providing much-needed relief for farming operations and reducing some of the operational challenges faced by the young farmers. Kontsiwe commended the commitment of the young farmers and the work done by the department to enable them to transform agriculture in their community.
Beyond supporting agricultural enterprises, the department’s intervention also extended to infrastructure investment aimed at improving access to water for communities in Kumkani Mhlontlo. At Nyanisweni village, Kontsiwe officially handed over a spring water protection project aimed at providing a reliable water source for households and strengthening community food production initiatives.
The Spring Water Protection programme responds to the constitutional commitment contained in Section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which recognises everyone’s right to access to sufficient water. The intervention has provided community members with reliable water for household consumption and irrigation, and the installation of the spring water infrastructure also created temporary employment opportunities, with 40 community members employed during the installation phase in May 2025.
Key points
- The irrigation infrastructure investment is valued at R3.8 million and covers 11 hectares of land under production.
- The project has created employment opportunities for both permanent and seasonal workers.
- The department has also handed over agricultural inputs to 12 households with backyard food gardens, worth R80 000.
