“Start family farming to eradicate hunger”

In an effort to raise awareness about food security and production, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) commemorated World Food Day at Malale village outside Musina a fortnight ago. 

The departments brought with them food parcels which had been donated prior to the event and built a "food mountain", which was donated to destitute families. During the day, community members were encouraged to start family farming to eradicate hunger.

Established destitute families were given food parcels and fruit trees to plant at their home gardens in an effort to encourage family farming.

Min Senzeni Zokwana of the DAFF stated that, despite the fact that certain families had been chosen to benefit from the food mountain, the government was also supporting and encouraging people who had already started farming projects. “We are also promoting those who are already running projects and encouraging communities throughout the country to use the land to plant crops and produce more food,” he remarked.

Zokwana also added that those who were fortunate enough to have food must look whether their neighbours had eaten and extend their hand to help those who had nothing.

The DAFF deputy minister, Mr Bheki Cele, said that the starting of gardens at households could help struggling families to provide for themselves. “This problem will only be answered when everybody is aware that land and soil are the only answer in fighting hunger. It is a call to the nation to go and work,” he said.

One of the ambassadors for the Department of Agriculture, Sbusiso Leope, also known as DJ Sbu, said he was encouraging people to know more about agriculture. “Most young people don’t find agriculture glamorous. We are here to promote the culture of farming,” said DJ Sbu.

DAFF declared the month of October as Food Security Month to raise awareness about food security and production. This year, World Food Day was commemorated under the theme: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth.”

Date:30 October 2014

By: Phathutshedzo Luvhengo

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