Eastern Cape young farmers get R3.8m irrigation boost in Mhlontlo

Young farmers in the Eastern Cape are set to extend their growing season, raise production and take on more workers after a multimillion rand irrigation investment was handed over in Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality, in OR Tambo.

Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over the infrastructure on Wednesday. The programme began at Sigubudwini village, where the handover supports Vivi-Am Holdings, a youth-led enterprise focused on vegetable production.

The package includes an irrigation system, storage infrastructure and fencing valued at R3.8 million. The irrigation system covers 11 hectares of land under production, and the fencing extends over 20 hectares.

Sihle Guzane, a young farmer at Vivi-AM, said the improved system had changed what the enterprise could do.

“The irrigation is helping us a lot, as it gives us an opportunity to plant throughout the season. Since the infrastructure is of a better standard than the one we used to have, our crops receive sufficient water to help them grow,” Guzane said.

The increased production capacity has also allowed the enterprise to appoint permanent and seasonal workers as the operation expands. The project received a tractor from the department in June, which the department says provided relief for farming operations and reduced some of the operational challenges the young farmers faced.

Kontsiwe commended the farmers and the department’s work.

“These young people have dedicated themselves to this work. They are young but work hard. We are encouraged by their dedication to working the land and the fact that they have an established market where they sell their produce,” the MEC said.

The department’s intervention extended beyond the farming enterprise. At Nyanisweni village, Kontsiwe, accompanied by Kumkani Mhlontlo Mayor Mbulelo Jara and Local Economic Development Portfolio Head Mbuti Voko, handed over a spring water protection project intended to give households a reliable water source and strengthen community food production.

The Spring Water Protection programme responds to Section 27 of the Constitution, which recognises everyone’s right of access to sufficient water. The installation provided community members with reliable water for household consumption and irrigation, and created temporary employment for 40 community members during the installation phase in May 2025.

Kontsiwe also handed over agricultural inputs to 12 households with backyard food gardens. The inputs, worth R80 000, included fertiliser and vegetable seedlings.

The handover forms part of the provincial department’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Irrigation infrastructure boosts young farmers in the Eastern Cape