The City of Ekurhuleni is steaming ahead with its rapid land release programme.
This is according to Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, spokesperson for the metro.
He said the City is releasing 56 farms at a value of R120-million to local smallholder and subsistence farmers to improve food security, increase tax and revenue base for the City, expand food export and attract new investments into the City.
“The initiative will also enhance the quality of livelihoods, and increase the number of job opportunities in the region,” said Cebekhulu.
“Over 1 000 hectares of land will be released to the beneficiaries in a programme that will generate about R200-m revenue for the City through medium-term lease in addition to other immense economic benefits.”
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He said the key milestones and time frames in relation to the programme are as follows:
• The advertisement of the tender calling for prospective beneficiaries of the 56 farms to bid has been released on September 13.
• A briefing session for the candidate beneficiaries will be held on October 4 at the Germiston City Hall from 9am.
• The City will hold Ekurhuleni Agriculture Summit to thrash out how the City will use agriculture to boost its economy between October 7 and 8.
“The City’s agriculture development and support programme, of which the rapid land release is part thereof, covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector in Ekurhuleni, as 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.
“The City 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 City’s intent 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,” said Cebekhulu.
Mayor Mzwandile Masina announced earlier this year during his 2019 State of the City Address (Soca) that the City will release the agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.
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