Mpumalanga DARDLEA Hands Over State-of-the-Art Combine Harvester to Boost Grain Production in Dr J.S Moroka

Mpumalanga’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) has officially handed over a state-of-the-art Combine Harvester to grain producers in Dr J.S Moroka Local Municipality, Nkangala District. The initiative is set to transform grain production for 61 local beneficiaries across communal areas including Seabe, Lefiso, Lefiswane, Senotlelo Pankop, Troya, Mmamethlake, Marapyane, and Vaalbank. Their combined arable land totals 2018,7 hectares, secured through Permission to Occupy (PTOs) from the Tribal Authorities.

The new Combine Harvester integrates reaping, threshing, and winnowing into one machine, enabling efficient harvesting of large quantities of grain. It is equipped with specialized heads for crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum, flax, sunflowers, and canola, allowing farmers to optimize productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

During the handover, MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi urged farmers to collaborate, maintain the harvester, and ensure its equitable use to maximize food production. She emphasized the importance of teamwork in maintaining the machinery and achieving collective benefits for the community.

MEC Moeketsi also visited disaster-affected farmers to deliver essential farming inputs, including seeds, seedlings, compost, fertilizer, and jojo tanks, supporting initiatives like Moilathlala Primary Cooperative, Kgopelang Primary Cooperative, and Diphofa Vegetable Project. The combined efforts aim to strengthen food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and empower local farmers to sustain profitable and resilient farming enterprises.