East London – In supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture, the Eastern Cape African Farmers Association of South Africa (EC AFASA) launched its first-ever egg bank on the 16th of November 2023, in East London. This landmark initiative aims to change the poultry industry in the region by providing farmers with access to high-quality eggs and technical support.
The Provincial AFASA, a prominent organization representing African farmers in South Africa, has joined forces with the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) to drive poultry farming initiatives within the Eastern Cape Province. This partnership seeks to bolster the agricultural sector and ensure its long-term success.
As an agricultural powerhouse, the Eastern Cape Province has always been committed to supporting local farmers. With the establishment of the egg bank, EC AFASA aims to provide farmers with a reliable source of quality eggs, enabling them to enhance their productivity and profitability.
Eastern Cape MEC of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in the Eastern Cape Nonkqubela Pieters said “We plan to send officers to assist farmers with technical knowledge and skills so that they can succeed. This hands-on support will equip farmers with the necessary tools to succeed in their poultry farming endeavours.”
To further aid farmers in achieving their goals MEC advises them to explore blended finance options and also encourages farmers to apply for support from DRDAR which offers resources for quality infrastructure development. By seeking donations from blended finance institutions, farmers can secure the necessary financial resources to invest in their poultry farming projects.
This financial support will play a crucial role in ensuring the success and sustainability of these initiatives. The launch of the egg bank and the partnership with DRDAR mark an exciting chapter for the Eastern Cape’s agricultural landscape. With the continued support of the province, EC AFASA, and the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, local farmers can look forward to a brighter future in the poultry industry.
Eastern Cape AFASA Chairperson Lundi Delano Kama expressed, “With AFASA now being commodity-based we decided that we need to build a business and we decided to start with the egg business.”
“As soon as we implement the project we are promising the farmers and AFASA financial freedom, we did not start this project because the was chicken flu, we started in February in the hope of empowering farmers,” the Chief Executive Director from Wide International Development Solutions Winston Khanyile.
As EC AFASA and its partners forge ahead with their mission to empower local farmers, the Eastern Cape Province stands united in its dedication to nurturing a vibrant and sustainable agricultural sector.
