The KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture and rural development has put aside R57.18 million to support 152 women farmers in the 2021-22 financial year.
Provincial minister Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi made this announcement during the launch of the 10-hectare River Valley farm in New Hanover in the uMshwathi local municipality on Tuesday, 31 August.
“I would also like to emphasise that support is provided to both individually owned and group-owned female farmer projects,” said Sithole-Moloi.
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She added that the department also spent R52.88 million on supporting 27 women’s farms earmarked for future commercial development in the 2020-21 financial year.
“I want to reassure you today that we are committed to being part [of integrating] women into the development plans and to ensure allocation of resources towards achievement of developmental goals,” she stated.
Sithole-Moloi added that this instruction included increasing the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) budget for funding women-owned projects from R40 million this year to R85 million next year.
“Over and above this, I have also ordered that 50% of all agricultural projects funded by our department be allocated to women beneficiaries.”
Sithole-Moloi is calling upon women to begin organising themselves into business niches that cater for each need in the value chain, so they can solve problems and keep their overheads in check.
“Women can no longer be treated as black sheep in land allocation and financing. Women need land and must have funding. A certain percentage of farms that are laying fallow in the province will be re-allocated to women and youth,” said Sithole-Moloi.
Young people must lead the agricultural sector
The MEC furthermore called upon young people to lead the agricultural sector as current farmers are aging. It necessitates the involvement of the youth, to whom ageing farmers can transfer their skills.
“Young people have been trained and facilitated in modern and innovative agricultural methods. For us to increase agricultural productivity it is critical to introduce young people with fresh knowledge and ideas,” said Sithole-Moloi.
Launch of a 100% black-owned farm
The provincial minister made her announcements during the launch of River Valley, a 100% black-owned farm which employs 60 permanent personnel.
She further commended the team on the farm, which sells a large volume of fresh produce through pack houses currently supplying Pick n Pay and other retail stores. It also supplies the eThekwini Fresh Produce Market, Pietermaritzburg Fresh Produce Market and local wholesalers.
The farm has recently tapped into international markets.
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