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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 25 Aug 2008 Title: Ekurhuleni women in agriculture to fight poverty -------------------- By Gabi Khumalo Ekurhuleni - The Ekurhuleni Agricultural Summit which opens on Tuesday will be used to re-evaluate women's role in ending poverty and creating more jobs in the sector. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they wanted to reposition agriculture as a sector that can provide viable economic and growth opportunities rather than being a merely subsistence sector. "Conferences of this nature contribute greatly to the formation of sustainable support programmes," Mr Dlamini said, adding that as it was Women's Month there would be an emphasis on the role women could play in this regard. The summit, to be held at Duduza Multi-Purpose Centre will focus on progress made on the eight declarations adopted during last year's conference. This includes the establishment of an Ekurhuleni Chamber of Agricultural Commodities (CAC) and the formation of links between emerging farmers and fresh produce markets in the region. Successful organisations based in Ekurhuleni will share best practices on homestead and food garden projects at the conference, the municipality's Economic Development Department will also share light on their cooperative and ward-based programmes. The summit partners, Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and the Department of Land Affairs will also report on their programmes supporting Ekurhuleni organisations. During the Social Sector Cluster briefing held in May, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang acknowledged that poverty, hunger and malnutrition continue to be challenges facing our country. The minister said the Household Food Production Programme was one of government's strategies of improving food security amongst the vulnerable communities. "To date, 6 390 vegetable gardens have been established and 15 765 food production packages have been distributed, we are also working hard in deepening our interventions around the establishment of school food gardens," Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said at the time. With regard to the farmer support programme, the minister announced that a total of 903 clients have received an Agricultural Financial Institutional Scheme of South Africa, through farmer Support Programme loans and a total of R8.5 million was disbursed in the first quarter of 2008. - BuaNews |
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