Provincial government targets food security with major investment
The Eastern Cape provincial government has committed more than R600 million towards equipping farming communities with the resources needed to enhance labour efficiency, drive up agricultural output, and add value to food production at household level.
MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe outlined the ambitious spending plan during the department's 2026/27 Policy Speech at the Provincial Legislature on Wednesday, positioning the Ilima Lokulima Programme as the cornerstone of the province's fight against food insecurity.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the programme reached over 33 000 households, enabling them to grow their own food. The department now intends to widen that reach to 35 000 households in the coming financial year, backed by a dedicated R65 million budget.
School gardens and climate-smart initiatives take centre stage
Kontsiwe revealed that the department has forged stronger ties with the Departments of Education and Social Development, alongside organisations including Oxfam, Farmers Network South Africa, the Graca Machel Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and Walter Sisulu University, to bolster community-level food production.
A notable element of this collaboration involves working with the Department of Education to introduce agricultural production at 1 930 schools through the creation of school gardens.
"This effort aims to strengthen local food production and enhance nutrition for learners and the surrounding communities," Kontsiwe said.
The province will also deploy nine Climate Smart Tunnels across all districts to support community food production and build resilience in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
"These combined initiatives are helping to establish sustainable community food systems and promote food sovereignty throughout the province," she said.
To further extend the reach of the Ilima Lokulima Programme, the department plans to purchase 50 hand-held tractors at a cost of R3 million, placing mechanised support directly in the hands of small-scale producers.
Water scarcity will also be addressed through an expanded Spring Water Protection Programme. A total of R9.6 million has been set aside to safeguard 13 additional springs in districts facing severe water stress, ensuring farming communities have dependable access to irrigation throughout the year.
"This initiative not only enhances water access but also establishes a solid foundation for consistent household food production and improved livelihoods," Kontsiwe said.
The Eastern Cape's R600 million agricultural commitment addresses a province where rural poverty and food insecurity remain deeply entrenched, affecting millions who depend on subsistence farming. By expanding mechanisation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and school-based food production, the investment could strengthen local supply chains and reduce household vulnerability to rising food costs. Whether the programme achieves its targets will depend on effective implementation, sustained funding, and the province's ability to navigate worsening climate pressures in the years ahead.
