Metro small farmers to receive farms
“The programme will generate about R200-million in revenue for the metro through medium-term lease, in addition to other immense economic benefits.”
Kwatsaduza – The metro is releasing 56 farms, of which 10 are from Springs, which are valued at R120-million to local smallholder and subsistence farmers to improve food security.
The initiative is also aimed to increase tax and revenue base, expand food export and attract new investments into the metro.
It is also intended to enhance the quality of livelihoods, and increase number of job opportunities in the region.
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In a statement released by the metro spokesperson, Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, details that over 1 000 hectares of land will be released to the beneficiaries.
“The programme will generate about R200-m revenue for the metro through medium-term lease in addition to other immense economic benefits.
“The metro will hold the Ekurhuleni Agriculture Summit to thrash out how the metro will use agriculture to boast its economy between October 7 and 8.
“The metro’s agriculture development and support programme, of which the rapid land release is part of, covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector in Ekurhuleni.
“Farmers will be assisted with access to council-owned land, technical support, skills development, access to funding and access to markets and off-take agreements,” he explains.
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The metro is in a process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development financial institutions (DFIs), industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations.
“The collaboration will support the metro’s plans to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing, in order to strengthen the City’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), direct domestic investment (DDI) and creating jobs.
“About R14-m has already been budgeted in the current financial year for services of researchers and economists who will provide support to the programme,” he says.
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