The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) MEC, Ms Khethiwe Moeketsi, officially handed over a state-of-the-art combine harvester to grain producers in Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality on 29 January 2026.

The handover, which took place in the Nkangala District, is expected to significantly benefit local grain farmers by improving production capacity and strengthening food security in the area.

The programme was followed by on-farm intervention visits to disaster-stricken farmers, where the department delivered essential farming inputs. These included seeds, seedlings, compost, fertiliser and JoJo water tanks to Moilathlala Primary Cooperative, Kgopelang Primary Cooperative and the Diphofa Vegetable Project within the municipality.

Addressing the farmers, MEC Moeketsi encouraged unity and collective responsibility, stressing the importance of caring for the combine harvester so that it can benefit all producers.

She urged farmers to work together and protect the equipment, saying it would play a vital role in helping them continue producing food for their communities.

The MEC also explained that farmers should continue working their land while awaiting the finalisation of support from the National Disaster Management intervention process.

The handover was attended by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Safety, who represented the Mayor, local councillors, and the Bakgatla Ba Mochia Chairperson, Mr Moepi Mmutie Aaron.

The combine harvester is a highly specialised agricultural machine designed to harvest large quantities of grain efficiently. It combines three key harvesting processes — reaping, threshing and winnowing — making large-scale grain production possible in a way that cannot be achieved manually.

The department said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to supporting emerging farmers, strengthening rural development and improving food security across Mpumalanga.