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Turning Soil into Success
Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) officially launched the Agri-Park Cropping Season at Sigidi Village in Ward 28 under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality. The launch marked the beginning of the 2025/26 farming season, celebrating agriculture’s vital role in sustaining livelihoods and strengthening the local economy.
Themed “Building the Economy through Agriculture in the Year of Baphethuxolo Alfred Nzo,” the program aims to empower farmers, promote food security, and highlight the economic value of crops like sweet potatoes, which hold high potential for income generation across the district.
Supporting Farmers and Strengthening Food Security
The initiative’s main goal is to boost productivity and support farmers in developing their land sustainably. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships between farmers, traditional leaders, government departments, and private stakeholders to ensure lasting impact in the agricultural sector.
During his keynote address, Executive Mayor Cllr. Vukile Mhlelembana emphasized the importance of turning agriculture into a tool for poverty alleviation.
“As leaders, we must ensure that we assist farmers with available resources to develop their land,” said Mhlelembana.
He also called on educators to teach learners about the importance of agriculture as a foundation for community growth and self-sufficiency.
Promoting Sweet Potato as a Strategic Crop
One of the event’s key highlights was the sweet potato demonstration, showcasing its role in improving local food security and income generation. For the 2025/26 financial year, ANDM will support 24 farmers across its four local municipalities, focusing on increasing productivity and linking small-scale farmers to markets through the Agri-Park program.
The program’s outcomes aim to create jobs, enhance livelihoods, and build awareness about the Agri-Park’s role in transforming local agriculture into a sustainable economic driver.
Community Collaboration and Participation
The launch drew a diverse group of stakeholders, including local business owners, councillors, the Mayor of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality, the Department of Agriculture, Alfred Nzo Development Agency (ANDA), ECDC, Animeds, Siyazisiza Trust, and local farmers. Exhibitors showcased innovative agricultural products, highlighting the region’s growing commitment to agribusiness and youth participation in farming.
The event reaffirmed the district’s commitment to ensuring that agriculture remains central to economic development and food sovereignty in Alfred Nzo.
