As the slogan of the Department say, “Kubhunya Lutfuli, Kusephuka Tidzindzi, Siyalima eMpumalanga”, this was literal phenomenon as MEC Andries Gamede officially launched the ploughing season during the Provincial World Food Day commemoration which was held in Lefisoane Village at Dr J.S Moroka Municipality which is a CRDP municipality on 30 October 2014.
“I am the first one to switch the tractor ignition on; by this I declare the ploughing season opened. All tractors have started working in all municipalities.” This was said by MEC Gamede officially as he started the ignition of one of the tractors that he drove as a symbol for declaring that farmers may now start working, not only in Dr J.S Moroka Municipality but throughout the province.
Furthermore on the day, the MEC handed out seeds, fertilisers to vulnerable households around the municipality, in encouraging them to produce food gardens so that they may fight hunger.
Since the Department has an obligation towards the Zero hunger policy, this event was a comprehensive food security intervention hence there was a food mountain displayed at Lefiswane stadium in celebration of the World Food Day which globally takes place on the 16th October annually. With intent to combat hunger, poverty and malnutrition, the food displayed was for the vulnerable households and was distributed evenly to the entire identified household.