PAYO MADIKWA, a former Walter Sisulu Municipality worker dished employment when he got a farm as part of the land reform program from the department of Rural Development and Land Reform in 2003.

 

He produces maize, livestock feed, cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens and sells them to local informal and formal markets, earning him good profits, which he reinvests into his business.

 

Madikwa is one of many farmers who get financial support from the DRDAR through the agriculture economic transformation strategy aimed at commercializing agriculture.

 

The department is constructing a multipurpose shed on his farm, constructed livestock handling facility and fenced some of his farm.
“Because you can see me you can see the broad smile on my face because I love the support. I have been in need of the support from the department. The support helps me a lot and allows me to expand my production according to my plans,” said Payo.

 

The department’s Joe Gqabi District Director, Dr Zoleka Ntondini said wool production, livestock improvement and maize were their priority programs.

 

“Many farmers welcome the department’s intervention and they are involved because what we build we handover to them to use and they take care of them. We have a lot of small scale farmers that we are supporting to be commercial farmers,” said Ntondini.

 

The district has invested more of its money into the construction of multipurpose sheds, shearing sheds with dipping tanks, feedlot, animal handling facilities giving farmers a shot in the arm to benefit from the agriculture economy.