Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture has told hundreds of emerging farmers that farming is a long and hard process that needs passion and not lazy people.
“People must not do farming because they want quick cash, farming is a process not an ATM,” said MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Vusi Shongwe.
Shongwe was addressing emerging farmers who were attending the grain farmers information day at Haartebeespruit farm in KwaMhlanga.
He said people must not get into farming just because they want to make a living.
“Farming is a long process that needs people who love it and are willing to learn.
“There’s no miracle that will produce quality or good crops for you in the farming sector.
“There’s no time for suits here, we don’t want lazy people. We are here to work,” said the MEC.
“There is not muti that will make you a successful farmer, you need to work hard.
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“There are new ways of farming these days and we have to use them.
“We must not dwell on what our forefathers used to do back in the days.
“Let us follow the right processes in order to grow good plants,” he said.
He also encourage young people to join the industry and become farmers.
He said the farming sector needs people who are passionate and not people who will come for stipends.
Shongwe’s meeting with the farmers is aimed at equipping the emerging farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to choose a seed variety that suits their farming conditions and available resources.
He was joined by emerging farmers and stakeholders from Grain SA.
(edited by BM)
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