Government promises big support to emerging farmers

MBOMBELA – Emerging farmers can look forward to more governmental intervention this year. MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Andries Gamede announced increased support for small food producers and cattle farmers during his budget speech on May 21.

“Most emerging farmers still lack the capacity, the means and the necessary skills, including the basic production inputs and mechanisation; they still cannot meet the basic needs of running a productive and profitable farm,” he said about his department’s planned intervention under the Masibuyele Emasimini and Masibuyele Esibayeni programmes.

This will see not only support in the form of funding for cooperatives and food gardens, but also provision of tractors and farming implements as well as cattle production sets (see the breakdown of Dardlea’s budget here).

Gamede also elaborated on the Fortune-40 Young Farmers Incubator programme which was announced by the premier, David Mabuza during his State of the Province Address in February.

A total of R80 million has been set aside for the incubator programme. Twenty youth-owned SMMEs and 20 youth-owned cooperatives are to be recruited into an incubator programme operated under a strategic partnership with the private sector to mentor the future commercial farmers. Farms where project will be implemented have already been secured. Six farms in Ehlanzeni, six farms in Gert Sibande and seven in Nkangala District will benefit.

• The the MEC’s full speech here: DARDLEA.

“We will develop the youth to focus on dry-land crop production, livestock production and poultry development,” the MEC said.

“This will also include vegetables and subtropical fruit production linked to value chain, including the school nutrition programme and hospitals. The youth of this country is our future.

“The department is proud to be contributing in investing on youth development as a way of creating opportunities that will allow them to participate in economic growth of the province and express their talent.”

• Read more:

Wetlands in the city get new lease on life

BRA calls for more help for farmers