By Bhekizenzo Zonele
A R45 million farming inputs voucher programme to support 10,000 households and subsistence farmers across four provinces was launched in Limpopo on Friday.
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The programme will benefit farmers in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the North West. Beneficiaries will receive digital vouchers worth R4,000 each to purchase essential farming supplies.
Supported by the Women’s Development Banking Trust (WDBT), the initiative will give small-scale farmers access to seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs to increase household food production and support rural livelihoods.
Businesswoman Gloria Serobe told the launch at the Zebediela Citrus Farm in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality that the initiative was a significant step towards empowering communities through agriculture.
“Today we came to launch something that has not been launched in South Africa: vouchers,” Serobe said.
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She said the vouchers were important, especially for smallholder farmers, who often struggled to afford basic agricultural inputs.
“We know how big that R4,000 is for us who are in farming. R4,000 is big for farming. There’s a lot you can do with that,” said Serobe.
The programme will initially support 500 identified beneficiaries in Zebediela before scaling to other participating communities.
Agricultural extension officers will support the selection and verification process, and traditional leaders will help identify eligible farmers.
“The traditional council will come with 10 to 12 people per council, and the list will be taken to the Department of Agriculture for vetting,” Serobe said.
Beneficiaries will have six months to make their purchases.
Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba Ramathuba urged recipients to use the aid effectively and turn their backyard gardens into sustainable food sources.
“Food security in South Africa begins in our backyard gardens, our villages and the fields that sustain our households every single day,” she said.
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The premier highlighted the importance of household agriculture in addressing food insecurity, particularly in rural communities where families depend on small-scale farming for food and income.
She said the programme recognises the contribution of rural producers, particularly women, who play a significant role in feeding households and communities.
The initiative comes as many South African households continue to face food insecurity, with rising living costs placing additional pressure on families’ ability to afford nutritious food.
The programme is conducted in partnership with the Zanele Mbeki Development Trust, Wiphold and the National House of Traditional Leaders.
