Riyaz Patel
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is hoping the release of 56 farms to local smallholder and subsistence farmers will improve food security and boost food exports from the Metro.
Over 1000 hectares, valued at R120m, will be released to beneficiaries in a programme that is expected to generate about R200 million in revenue for the CoE through medium-term leases.
The City said it’s rapid land release programme will further enhance the quality of livelihoods and increase job opportunities in the region.
The call for prospective beneficiaries to bid for the 56 farms was released on 13 September 2019. A briefing session for the successful beneficiaries was held on 4 October 2019 at the Germiston City Hall.
“The City’s agriculture development and support programme, 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,” City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said.
“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.”
Cebekhulu added that the City is in the process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development financial institutions, industry bodies, farmers associations, research institutions and training organisations.
The collaboration will support the City’s goal to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing.
This, in turn, said Cebekhulu, will strengthen the City’s competitiveness in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Direct Domestic Investment (DDI) and its ability to create jobs.
“About R14 million has already been budgeted in the current financial year for services of researchers and economists, who will provide support to the programme.”
During his 2019 State of the City Address earlier this year, Mayor Mzwandile Masina announced that the CoE would release agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.
The Ekurhuleni Metro is also planning to convene an Agriculture Summit early October to outline how it will use agriculture to boost the local economy.
