Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli Launches KwaZulu-Natal Multi-Planting Season to Tackle Food Insecurity

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for an aggressive mobilisation of communities to embrace farming as a solution to food insecurity and poverty. Ntuli, alongside MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, led the Provincial Multi-Planting Season Launch at eNhlanhleni in Underberg, under the Harry Gwala District Municipality.

The launch follows alarming findings from the General Household Survey (GHS), which identified KwaZulu-Natal as the province with the highest number of households lacking adequate access to food. According to the 2021 GHS, 14.2 percent of households had inadequate access to food, while 6.7 percent were severely food insecure. By 2024, those figures rose to 15.5 percent and 8.4 percent respectively, showing a decline in household food access.

Premier Ntuli emphasized that the agricultural sector must drive efforts to reverse this trend. “We are mobilising every sector for farming, as this seriously addresses food insecurity. Let’s ensure every corner of the province is surrounded by lush crops and vegetables,” he said. He urged government officials to partner with communities to unlock unused arable land and turn it into productive farmland.

As part of the initiative, the Premier unveiled 24 new state-owned tractors to assist farmers across KwaZulu-Natal. He also announced a seed multiplication programme to distribute locally produced seeds to farmers throughout the province. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development currently produces over 10 million seedlings annually through its research stations and has provided 150 vehicles to extension officers to strengthen on-the-ground support.

Ntuli encouraged extension officers to actively promote farming within their wards and conduct regular site visits to monitor progress. “Let’s utilise our frontline services to encourage people to farm from their ward level. Unannounced visits will be conducted to ensure directives are being followed,” he added.

MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa reaffirmed the province’s progress in agricultural production. She revealed that the department had set a target of cultivating 14,996 hectares in the last financial year but exceeded it by supporting 15,011 hectares through mechanisation and employment stimulus programmes.

The launch event benefited local farmers with production inputs, including 120 bags of fertiliser, 60 litres of chemicals, 40 bags of maize seed, and five bags of grass and pasture seed. Eight brand-new tractors with implements were on display, and newly appointed tractor drivers were introduced to assist farmers in the area. A total of 60 hectares of land have already been prepared and are ready for planting.

The Premier also condemned stock theft, noting that it undermines food security and the livelihoods of rural farmers. He called for coordinated efforts between law enforcement, traditional leaders, and communities to combat the issue.

The Provincial Multi-Planting Season launch reinforces the province’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a sustainable driver of economic growth and rural development. Through mechanisation, innovation, and collaboration, KwaZulu-Natal aims to strengthen its agricultural base and ensure that no household goes hungry.