Umbumbulu: The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, along with eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Cyril Xaba, is set to engage with small-scale growers and supported rural youth enterprises in the Umbumbulu area this week. The engagement is part of the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme and will take place at Mpandwini Community Hall.

According to South African Government News Agency, the department has invested over R4 million in production inputs through the Ratoon Management Programme. This initiative provides fertiliser and technical assistance to small-scale growers, benefiting over 800 producers in Umbumbulu. The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) has been appointed as the implementing agent to ensure the success of this initiative by providing day-to-day guidance to the farmers.

The department also mentioned that Minister Nyhontso and delegates will engage with the community on challenges, opportunities, and success stories i
n the sugar cane industry, especially from the perspective of previously disadvantaged emerging farmers. As part of the build-up activities to the Presidential Imbizo scheduled for 8 November 2024 in eThekwini, the Minister will lead a delegation on a walkabout to three households in Ward 96, where livelihoods depend solely on sugar cane farming in the Mpandwini area.