Madam Deputy Speaker, the ANC is committed to creating an environment that ensures that there is adequate food available for all, that we grow our own food and protect the poor communities from the rising prices of food and eradicate hunger.
Continuing with our commitment, Asgisa Eastern Cape has recently allocated R7 million for the construction of silos in the province as part of a cropping programme aimed at alleviating poverty in the rural areas.
Asgisa Eastern Cape is a provincial government initiative and is fast- tracking agriculture and agroprocessing, which also include livestock and forestry. The jobs to be created and the small business development are also significant benefits of the integrated cropping programme.
This year, Asgisa Eastern Cape expects to double its harvest as the number of hectares under cultivation has almost doubled from 6 700 to 12 000. The ANC will always promote food security as a means of lessening our dependence on food imports. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]