MEDIA STATEMENT
Agriculture MEC Kontsiwe Signs Memorandum of Understanding with The State of Lower Saxony, Germany.
Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Communications on 01 April 2026
For Immediate Release
Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe yesterday (subs: 31 March) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of Lower Saxony, Germany. This Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) represents the common understanding of the Department of Agriculture and the Ministry.
Prior to the signing, MEC Kontsiwe held meaningful virtual engagement with Minister Miriam Staudte. Inger Steffen represented the Lower Saxony Ministry during the ceremony held at the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency building Ku-Gompo City.
“The partnership with the province has been very positive and in the past we have had exchange programmes, including hosting of farmers and officials in Lower Saxony. We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration for the benefit of our people,” Steffen said.
MEC Kontsiwe hailed the signing of the MoU as “milestone” as the province seeks to work with global partners in the economic growth development endeavours.
“This is a huge milestone as we are trying to pull all available resources to develop our people and to grow the economy through the agricultural industry. Our partnership has yielded good results and we hope to continue gaining expertise from the Lower Saxony province. Skills development, which supports our farmers, is the cornerstone of this partnership,” Kontsiwe said.
She said the expertise of the Lower Saxony province, especially in Veterinary services will assist Eastern Cape in its biodiversity drive including the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
The main areas of the partnership will include agricultural development, institutional capacity development, human capacity development, as well as research and technology development.
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This will include production agriculture, professional staff development, agricultural infrastructure development according to required specifications, implementation and management, social and rural development.
Both sides intend, based on reciprocity and their respective competences, to support and promote the spirit of this JDol to enhance the success of this partnership.
For more information please contact Mr Atule Joka on 071 688 4231 or Mr Thozi Manyisana on 083 542 7608.
