Speaker, the ANC welcomes the support given to emerging farmers in the Drakensberg area of KwaZulu-Natal to supply yellow maize to South African Breweries, SAB. This initiative came about as a result of a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture, environmental affairs and rural development and SA Breweries.
The farmers will supply 180 000 tons of yellow maize. SAB is prepared to buy 5 000 tons in the first year of the project, and the quantity will gradually increase over time. This is a milestone for emerging farmers in the province as this will transform their communities and advance the entrepreneurial skills of emerging farmers.
This programme is in line with the ANC strategy of implementing large-scale programmes to establish new smallholders and improve the productivity of existing small-scale and subsistence farmers, as well as integrating smallhold farmers into a formal value chain and linking them with markets.
The ANC, therefore, calls on all big companies to emulate this initiative as a means of ensuring food security and combating hunger.
Yiyona-kelento edala ukuthi sisebenzele u-ANC, yiyo lento edala ukuthi singalali emakhaya. Siyabonga. [Ihlombe.] [That is why we work for the ANC and leave the luxury of our homes. Thank you. [Applause.]]