NDA ROADSHOW SPURS AGRICULTURAL GROWTH IN LUSIKISIKI

By DSD News

• Ingquza Fresh Produce Secondary Cooperative launched in Lusikisiki with R1.9 million NDA funding to empower eight small-scale cooperatives.
• Site visits by NDA leadership to monitor project impact and foster partnerships for job creation and poverty alleviation.
• Strategic stakeholder engagements strengthen multi-sector collaboration in sustainable agricultural development across the Eastern Cape.

The National Development Agency’s (NDA) strategic poverty eradication roadshow has led to a tangible outcome in Lusikisiki with the establishment of the Ingquza Fresh Produce Secondary Cooperative, a farmer-led initiative designed to boost local economic development and job creation. Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Thabani Buthelezi, together with his executive team, visited the Eastern Cape today as part of the agency’s oversight drive to monitor progress and deepen stakeholder collaboration.
This roadshow forms part of the NDA’s newly approved turnaround strategy, which aims to reposition the agency as a leading force in national development and to strengthen the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in driving sustainable community upliftment. Following a successful national CSO conference held in May, the NDA has garnered strong backing from civil society, government, and private stakeholders to spearhead collaborative poverty alleviation efforts.
During the visit, Mr Buthelezi emphasized the NDA’s commitment to fostering resilience within rural communities. By focusing on sustainable farming practices and cooperative models, the agency aims to provide not only financial support but also vital training and infrastructure development. This multi-pronged strategy ensures that the benefits of agricultural growth extend beyond immediate economic gains and create lasting social impact.
The Lusikisiki leg of the roadshow includes site visits to Amajabangqa Agricultural Primary Cooperative and Magazi Farming—both key contributors to the newly formed secondary cooperative. The NDA has allocated R1.9 million in funding for the 2024/2025 financial year to support eight small-scale farming cooperatives under the Ingquza umbrella. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity, create job opportunities, and foster sustainable income generation.
Stakeholder engagement sessions will also be held with partners, including the Departments of Agriculture, Social Development, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), SASSA, ECRDA, and the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, all of whom are essential to sustaining the success of such community-driven agricultural initiatives.