“It will help me minimise production costs because I now have my own equipment, including a tractor, plough, trailer, and planter. Previously, I had to spend nearly R12 000 annually on operational costs for my 5 hectares of land,” said Mr Gladstone Gcinuhlanga Silinga from R2 Locality, Mgomanzi A/A in Butterworth under the Mnquma Local Municipality.
Before receiving financial support from ECRDA, Mr Silinga faced challenges that limited the growth of his farming operations, including reliance on hired or borrowed tractors, delayed planting due to limited machinery availability, and high operational costs that placed financial strain on his business.
Today, those challenges are becoming a thing of the past. Through ECRDA financial support, Mr Silinga recently received a brand-new tractor together with farming equipment.
He currently operates on 5 hectares of land producing vegetables, cabbage, and yellow maize. He is also a member of Ethika Agricultural Primary Co-operative, where members collectively operate on 20 hectares of land.
The newly acquired tractor will not only support his own farming activities but will also strengthen operations within the cooperative, improving efficiency and productivity for fellow farmers.
“I intend to expand my production by planting cabbage and potatoes immediately after harvesting my mealies.
I am very happy with the equipment received through the ECRDA loan support. Keep up the good work you are doing because, without this support, I would not be where I am today,” added Mr Silinga.
In addition to farming operations, the tractor will also be utilised for commercial hire services within the community, including the loading and transportation of sand and crushed stone (uhlalutye) from river sites, as well as the collection and delivery of firewood from forests for traditional ceremonies and community events.
ECRDA continues to demonstrate its vision of “UPhuhliso Lwamaphandle oluquka Uluntu Ngokubanzi” by driving inclusive rural economic development across the Eastern Cape
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