Development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) says it has disbursed a total of R80,7 million to 153 co-operatives in the Eastern Cape through its Imvaba Co-operatives Fund since 2009 mainly to enterprises in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors. Speaking at the OR Tambo Farmer's Day and Potato Production Programme Launch in Mthatha today, ECDC acting Imvaba Co-operative Fund manager Simphiwe Ntshweni says of the R80,7 million, R3,357 million went to seven potato producing co-operatives in the OR Tambo District Municipality last year alone. The funds were used to buy agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, seeds and pesticides. The seven co-operatives have planted 26 hectares of potatoes in this their first season. Initial yield estimates indicate a yield of 1,500 10kg bags of potatoes per hectare at harvest at these co-operatives. The seven co-operatives which have 61 members are Vukamntomtsha Agricultural Primary co-operative (Mthatha), Ngethemba Agricultural Primary Co-operative, Mampingeni General Suppliers and Multi-purpose Primary Co-operative, Living Dreams Farming Primary Co-operative, Lusikiki Potato Farming Primary Co-operative, Xhamla Mzantsi Farming Co-operative as well as Masiphakamise Ulimo Agricultural Primary Co-operative. "The OR Tambo Farmers' Day and Potato Production Programme Launch are a combination of the annual Potato South Africa's farmers' information day and the official launch of the joint support by ECDC, Kei Fresh Produce Market and Potato South Africa to local potato producers which coincides with their first harvest. We are pleased with the partnership with Kei Fresh Produce Market which provides a market for the products of the potato producing co-operatives while linking them with distribution channels for their products. Industry association Potato South Africa and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) came on board to offer skills, training, mentoring and technical support to improve the competitiveness of the co-operatives so that they are able to compete with their commercial counterparts," says Ntshweni. Ntshweni says the economy of the OR Tambo district relies on agriculture and Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) in Mthatha became the obvious strategic partner in order to support the economy of this district. Nonkululeko Mtintweni, … [Read more...]