By Nasiphi Mabusela-Icamagu | Icamagu News Reporter – Images: GCIS
Lusikisiki
The National Development Agency (NDA) on Monday hosted a stakeholder engagement session in Lusikisiki, bringing together government stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Ingquza Hills Fresh Produce Secondary Cooperative. The session aimed to reflect on progress, challenges, and the impact of NDA support on local cooperatives.
The Magazi Farm, one of the primary cooperatives under the secondary cooperative umbrella, has become a cornerstone in the region’s agricultural development. Located in Lusikisiki, the farm focuses on cabbage production, piggery, fruit, and poultry farming.
Representatives from Magazi Farm highlighted how joining the secondary cooperative helped them overcome long-standing funding challenges. Today, their produce—particularly cabbage and spinach—is supplied to major retail chains such as Spar and Boxer.
“A lot of unemployed youth have benefited from this initiative,” said Mr. Magazi, a representative of the farm. He further emphasized the need for continued support, saying, “We would like NDA to assist us with capital to grow our operations.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Gewu, praised the NDA’s funding efforts. “The funding helped us in an unprecedented way, as we were able to run our business more efficiently, which enhanced effectiveness,” he said. However, he also stressed the importance of timing in the agricultural sector: “In farming, timing is everything. It would be highly appreciated if community-supported organizations (CSOs) were funded at the beginning of the planting season.”
The engagement served as a platform to identify further opportunities for collaboration and to ensure that local farming cooperatives continue to thrive and contribute to job creation and food security in the Eastern Cape.
