EIGHT groups of emerging farmers received personal protective equipment (PPE) from Kouga Municipality this week to support their operations during COVID-19 lockdown.
“Each group will be receiving face masks and sanitiser this week,” Kouga Local Economic Development (LED) Portfolio Councillor, Frances Baxter, said at the hand-over on Monday.
“Face shields, safety gloves and thermometers have also been ordered and will be delivered to the farmers as well within the next few weeks.”
She said the municipality’s LED unit had invited emerging farmers to apply for COVID-19 safety support.
“These are the eight groups that responded to the invitation. There are, however, other emerging farmers operating in the Kouga region.
“We would like to invite them to contact our LED unit as well, so that we can see how we can assist them,” she said.
Among the beneficiaries at the hand-over was Luzuko Katoo from Threepence, a joint venture in Hankey that grows and exports citrus.
Katoo thanked the municipality for the support.
“There are 40 households that benefit directly from the joint venture,” he said.
“We have also had to introduce additional safety precautions to our operations due to COVID-19. This donation is, therefore, very welcome.”
Other emerging farmers who would like to apply for assistance with personal protective equipment, can contact Kouga Municipality LED Officer, Xolile Wagosa, at xwagosa@kouga.gov.za or 067 107 9154.
