AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE’S VISIT TO MAKHATHINI IRRIGATION SCHEME
18 March 2025
Media Statement
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE’S VISIT TO MAKHATHINI IRRIGATION SCHEME
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee visited Makhathini Irrigation Scheme outside Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District on the 18th of March 2025.
The aim of the visit was to receive the turn-around strategy of the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme from Agri-Development Agency (ADA) which is currently managing the facility.
ADA management presented the turn-around strategy, however it was rejected by the Makhathini Farmers Association who are the beneficiaries of the irrigation programme. Almost all members of the association who addressed the committee criticized the agency for failing to consult the association while developing the strategy.
Association members also complained that ADA was prioritizing its employees instead of the beneficiaries.
Committee Chairperson Honourable Super Zuma instructed the agency to rework the turn-around strategy working together with the association. Zuma emphasized that the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme was developed to assist beneficiaries in the Umkhanyakude District to deal with triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
The scheme was founded over fourty years to provide irrigation to small scale farmers in the Umkhanyakude area. However, the Committee heard on Tuesday that the majority of the pumps are dysfunctional and only 45% of all the pumps are working. Committee Members also visited several pumping stations where they were shown challenges faced by the agency and its employees including theft and vandalism of infrastructure.
Ends
Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit
Issued by KZN Legislature Communications Unit
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