THE FUSE

The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development began a week long community outreach programme aimed at strengthening food security and supporting local institutions involved in food production. The programme started yesterday at the Ethiopian Church of Lesotho in Koppies within the Ngwathe Local Municipality in the Fezile Dabi District. Government officials gathered with community leaders, church representatives and early childhood development centres to distribute essential agricultural production inputs. The initiative focuses on encouraging communities to establish vegetable gardens that can supply fresh food to households and local institutions. Through this outreach effort the department aims to empower communities with practical tools that enable them to produce their own food and reduce hunger.