Siphiwe Nyathi

There will be no reason for the poor to go hungry when a food park is launched in Mmotong wa Perekisi outside Polokwane today.

Limpopo agriculture spokesperson Kenny Mathivha said the park, also referred to as a “food bank”, will operate as a charitable NGO that collects and redistributes surplus, donated or purchased food.

“It is adaptable to any situation where there is surplus of food and a community of goodwill,” he said.

The food will be redistributed to low-income individuals or families and community based charity organisations.

The project is a collaboration between the government, the private sector and NGOs, he said.

Agriculture MEC Jacob Marule will also use the event today to explain how the government will help small farmers increase their production by giving them access to farming machinery, fertiliser, seeds and technical advice.

“The department, in partnership with the Department of Forestry and Fisheries, will make 72 tractors and related equipment available to the farmers,” Mathivha said.

Mathivha said the initiative, also known as Letsema (working together), is aimed at stimulating production on both fallow and communal land. – AENS