Small-scale food producers in the Eastern Cape are set to benefit from a 10-year programme in which they can supply their produce to military bases in the province.
The multibillion-rand deal, which will benefit black small-scale farmers in the province, was signed on 5 November by the Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reform and the department of defence.
Masiza Mazizi, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape MEC for rural development and agrarian reform, Nonkqubela Pieters, said the two departments will identify, develop and implement commercial agriculture programmes in the province.
The deal is set not only to benefit existing small-scale farmers, but also to create opportunities for unemployed agriculture graduates to produce and supply their products to military bases.
Driver for commercialisation
According to Mazizi, the agreement will allow the department of defence’s procurement division to link with producers and processors of agricultural products.
The department believes the agreement to be a huge milestone for driving commercialisation of agriculture in the Eastern Cape as smallholder farmers will be able to aggregate their produce and supply all bases across the province.
The province has five military bases.
Provincial farmer register
The department is encouraging farmers to register on the provincial farmer register to be in line to benefit from the programme. As part of the registration process, farmers will have to provide proof of identification, farm locality and contact details to be included in the database. Farmers can visit their nearest department office to complete their registration.
Officials say farmers supplying to the military will be supported through the provision of infrastructure and other financial assistance will be provided for operating capital.
Furthermore, farmers are encouraged to aggregate their production to “reduce cost and to create economies of scale which will make them price competitive”.
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