The government regard small farmers as deserving beneficiaries for government market development programmes. Small farmers, like small enterprises in the broader economy, are vital for the creation of jobs and releasing the nation's farming potential. In this regard, plans recently announced by major sugar milling companies to sell off certain of their cane lands to medium scale developing farmers, will also help achieve these objectives. The Siyakha initiative we are launching today depends on the involvement of communities. How it unfolds over time will be decided by the communities involved.
Local development is primarily the responsibility of the local community.
Projects like the Siyakha initiative are aimed at kick-starting the local development efforts. We therefore expect the people of Groutville and all the communities in the sugar belt area to make full use of this scheme. You cannot be confined to care growing forever. Down the line you must develop industries in you locality to process your sugar cane. Furthermore, you must use your success in cane growing as a base to diversify your local economy.