Thank you, hon Speaker. In its commitment to promote food security as a way to lessen our dependence on food imports, the ANC welcomes the successful Vegetable Production Farmers' Day for emerging and small-scale farmers that was held at Emjindini in Mpumalanga. The event was organised by the agriculture, rural development and land administration department, with the aim of informing farmers about ways and means of producing fresh vegetables for households on a continuous basis throughout the year.
During the day, the vegetable production section of the polyfarm provided various options for small-scale farmers and households to produce vegetables on a cheap and sustainable basis. Emphasis was placed on the efficient use of natural resources such as water and organic fertilisers. The importance of weed and pest control was also illustrated. The different vegetable systems, such as wagon wheels, the trench garden, sprinkler irrigation, micro and drip irrigation and an aqua culture system were displayed.
The ANC commends this initiative and is hopeful that such events will take place in other rural parts of the province, as well as in other provinces. I thank you.