Disgruntled farmers in Mpumalanga are seeking answers about the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market which was promised to them more than nine years ago.
The multi-billion-rand fresh produce market was meant to be a link between farmers, local, national and international buyers. But despite a R2-billion cash injection, the building is still incomplete.
According to David Mthombeni, the Mpumalanga chairperson for the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), farmers are unhappy and say there’s no reason to believe that the facility will be completed any time soon.
“Farmers are so frustrated because each year there is a budget allocation that goes to the project but no output or results. We hope one day we will see light at the end of the tunnel,” Mthombeni says.
Even though he believes that the fresh produce market, once completed, will help local farmers have a dependable market they can sell to, Mthombeni says the construction of the site is taking way too long.
In 2013, the provincial department of agriculture estimated that the construction would cost R1 billion over a period of five years. However, so far, up to R2 billion has been spent.
The facility is envisioned to attract international and large domestic food retailers to Mbombela as well as create open markets for the province’s food producers. Neighbouring countries like Eswatini and Mozambique are expected to be key export clients.
‘Project on track’
Asked by Food For Mzansi about the status of the fresh produce market, the MEC for economic development and tourism in the province, Vusumuzi Mkhatshwa, says that construction work is on track.
“The construction of the much-awaited Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market will be completed during this financial year.
“We are currently busy with its operationalisation plans, to ensure the market is up and running once completed, so that it can start to contribute to the provincial economy, and ultimately play a crucial role in the development of small businesses and job creation,” he says.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the department of agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs in Mpumalanga, Zanele Shabangu, emphasises that the facility forms part of government’s response to farmer pleas around the lack of market access in the province.
“Farmers raised concern that other fresh produce markets are too far, and [that they spent] a fortune on transportation.
“Many solutions were provided and one of them was the establishment of a fresh produce market with a satellite in each district municipality for collection within reasonable distance. Hence, there is a plan for agri-hubs,” she says.
According to Shabangu, details on how the market will operate are still being finetuned.
“The next step will be to engage mega commercial farmers who own bigger stakes in the sector within the borders of the province to come on board as suppliers,” she says.
Mpumalanga farmers need help
Meanwhile, Jabu Mahlangu, provincial president of the National African Farmers Union, says that, although they welcome the project, more needs to be done to assist farmers who are struggling to access markets.
He also believes that farmers must be well equipped so that when the fresh produce market becomes fully operational, they can be key suppliers.
“The challenges that we have identified, and think that needs urgent attention by all stakeholders, are access to land. And those with land already, [need] access to water rights, stable electricity supply, assistance with input and operational costs.”
For the farming community of Mpumalanga to flourish, dilapidated farm roads, farm crime, skills development, and training are some of the key issues that farmers need addressed.
Mahlangu believes stakeholders in the sector should get the basics right first.
“Our view is that the business of agriculture is more about food security than it is about profit, therefore government needs to review its policy on how to fund agriculture and ensure its sustainability.”
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