Agro-processing drives economic growth and human development: Maile

By Akani Nkuna

Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile has highlighted the importance of agro-processing, saying it boosts the economy and plays an important role in improving people’s lives.

“Food security and mental health share a profound relationship influenced by multifaceted factors like socio-economic conditions, access to nutritious food and societal inequalities. Agro-processing holds not just manufacturing and economic growth value, but socio economic and human development value, too,” Maile said.

“This is especially important in the context of the Gauteng province where a persistent cost of living crisis has brought many families on the brink, with unemployment, food insecurity and hunger being the most pronounced effects of the crisis.”

Maile was speaking during the first day of the inaugural two-day Gauteng Agro-Processing and Convention Expo in Midrand on Thursday. It is intended to drive regional growth and included representatives from France, Netherlands, China and the United States.