Poor state of roads impacting uMlalazi farmers

Farmers have raised concerns about the poor state of road infrastructure in uMlalazi.

This was shared with the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa at a meeting at Lakeside Farm on Friday.

They stressed that poor roads increase production costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.

The engagement included the SA Canegrowers Association, commercial farmers, and representatives of small-scale farmers.

“Farmers are the heartbeat of the rural economy. For goods and services to move, roads must be good and maintained. This will ensure farms are efficient, productive and that production costs are reduced,” she said.

Farmers also raised funding constraints, crime affecting farms, and the risk of mills closing, which would devastate farming communities in the area.

“We want to have small-scale and commercial farmers working together. I am here to lobby our commercial farmers to open your hands and take in emerging farmers, to continue mentoring them,” said MEC.

She said government has declared this the Year of the Youth, and is working to make agriculture fashionable. She expressed concern over the aging farming population – averaging 60 years – and stressed the need for a clear succession plan.

“Let’s train young people and keep KZN green with fields and crops. There has to be a succession plan. We need to protect this sector,” she said.

Farmers requested that their concerns be escalated to Cabinet. The MEC committed to return to uMlalazi with the Premier for a follow-up engagement.

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Muzi Zincume 1 minute read Facebook X LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Share via Email Print Support local journalism Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from Zululand Observer in Google News and Top Stories.