The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has delivered critical water infrastructure and production support to rural communities in Nqanqarhu, bringing long-awaited relief to vegetable-producing farmers who have struggled with limited irrigation.

The handover of the spring-water projects, production inputs and gardening tools — delivered under the Ilima/Letsema Lokulima Programme, was met with enthusiasm from local farmers.

The programme promotes the productive use of arable land and supports household-level food security.

Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe officiated the handover of the Sigoga and Saqhuthe village spring-water scheme, which provide clean water for domestic use and irrigation. The infrastructure includes 26 new water points supplying 205 households.

To strengthen the link between water access and food production, the MEC also distributed production inputs to 120 beneficiaries. The support aims to reduce food insecurity, boost local agricultural output, and enable small-scale farmers to begin aggregating produce for potential markets.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony this week, Kontsiwe emphasised that the Ilima/Letsema Lokulima Programme is designed to advance community cohesion and strengthen food security across rural areas.

“The programme aims to bring people together to work their gardens, produce food and fight poverty with government support. The new spring water infrastructure ensures that people will no longer face the challenge of fetching irrigation water from distant locations, which is critical in areas where rainfall is scarce. The happiness of the community here is deeply encouraging to us,” said Kontsiwe.

Resident Ntombizanele Sonkwenye from Sigoga Village welcomed the investment, noting that the community had long struggled to access water, often walking “long and dangerous distances” to fetch it.

“The areas where we previously fetched water were overgrown and dangerous, creating fear, especially when sending our children during these times of high crime. The government has now provided us with water straight from the mountain. Today we are drinking clean, healthy water. We are truly overjoyed and grateful for this support,” Sonkwenye said.

Sonkwenye added that irrigation had previously been difficult because fetching water for consumption alone was an eventful and tiring exercise.

“We are also engaging local youth struggling with substance abuse, encouraging them to join us so we can combat poverty together,” she said.

Simthembile Folotyi of Upper Tsitsana Village also expressed appreciation for the production inputs.

“The seedlings, fertilisers and tools we received will not only assist us in fighting poverty but will also help us grow and develop. We are thankful to the department for the assistance, which will enable us to produce diverse vegetables to fight hunger and poverty,” Folotyi said.

During the visit, Kontsiwe also handed over 32 industrial sewing machines to 16 women-led enterprises in Lower Tsitsana Village, benefiting groups across three local municipalities in the Joe Gqabi District. The initiative is aimed at boosting local economic development.

The MEC stated that the goal is to enhance the quality of garments produced by the local women.

Originally posted on SAnews.gov.za