Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters and local farmer, Mr Mveleli Mhlonitshwa, show the maize seed to be planted in many mealie fields and grain producing farms in the Eastern Cape as part of the cropping programme during the official launch in the Upper Tabase Village. During the launch Pieters announced that the department is investing R79. 3 million in maize production covering 26 198 hectares of land in OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani District with R42. 3 million of this money is invested in production inputs for farmers for maize production on 13 633 Ha, R36.8 million invested in mechanisation for farmers for production on 10 021 Ha, R37.6 million allocated for partnership with farmers, AfroSaint Business Consultants, Dalasile AgriPark, Nodayimani Investments and Luleka Mbete Investments, SAGRA, Ukhanyo Farmer Development, Wiphold to produce maize to be sold through off-take agreements.