Just days after being appointed as the MEC of agriculture and rural development in Mpumalanga, Khethiwe Moeketsi delivered the budget vote worth R1.6 billion early this week at the Mpumalanga legislature.
Moeketsi, who was given two weeks to deliver the R2 billion-worth project of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market, said her department has managed to secure partnerships in Oman and China, which would enable farmers to be players in the global supply chains through the market.
“We have not only created a trading platform, we have built a gateway linking our farmers, from smallholder, emerging farmers to large-scale farmers by bridging the gap and providing access to buyers in local wards, townships, provinces and nationwide.
“This facility will remove barriers, reduce reliance on localised and unreliable farm-gate procurement, and enable equitable, sustained supply into various demand and value chains,” she said.
Piloting food market squares
Moeketsi said that, together with the department of small business development and our market operator, we are piloting 30 “food market squares” in 30 wards out of a targeted 400.
“These outlets will be operated by local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) selling fresh vegetables, grain, meat and dairy, with 1 600 SMMEs expected to benefit.
“Additionally, we are completing repairs at the Mkhondo Agri Hub and expanding fresh produce distribution in the Gert Sibande district, spread across all the municipalities in the district,” she said.
Related stories
- New Mpumalanga MEC gets 2 weeks to deliver produce market
- Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market comes to life after decade
According to Moeketsi, they have launched the Mpumalanga Agro-Fund, a transformative R400 million blended finance partnership designed to drive inclusive agricultural development within the province.
“This is a strategic undertaking between the department and the National Empowerment Fund. This agro-fund is open to other strategic partners, and various agreements of collaboration are underway. The expected impact is the creation of 1 200 new agro-processing jobs by 2027,” she said.
Moeketsi said the Mpumalanga Nutrition Sourcing Bill has been published for public comment and marks a bold legislative step towards agricultural transformation.
“At its core, the bill seeks to ensure stable and reliable market access for emerging farmers, empowering them to become active participants in the provincial food economy.
“Retain and reinvest public expenditure within Mpumalanga, ensuring that our government nutrition programmes directly benefit local producers and enterprises,” she said.
READ NEXT: Competition report reveals inequities in fresh produce value chain
Boosting rural livelihoods
Meanwhile, Moeketsi said her focus would be to unlock projects that have the potential to create jobs and boost the economy of the province.
“The agri-park in Secunda, in the Govan Mbeki Municipality, continues to grow as a model of integrated production, agro-processing, and training. Poultry and piggery infrastructure has been completed, and we now shift focus to tunnels, aquaponics, and shade-net facilities.
“This is more than just a park. It is a functional economic ecosystem designed with the specific intent to uplift rural communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and demonstrate the power of agriculture as a driver of social and economic transformation.”
Moeketsi said that in the coming financial year, her department will ensure that the government-funded projects are fully operational, with the focus remaining clear that youth, women, and persons with disabilities must be central to the agricultural revolution.
“This year, we will operationalise the Inkanyezi Poultry Project at Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, and activate ‘Eggsellent’ by Lebo Mashigo at Thembisile Hani Municipality, both female-owned enterprises.
“Mpumalanga continues to demonstrate its strength in livestock production, proudly ranking among the top five provinces nationally. However, our farmers still face challenges that limit their ability to scale and fully benefit from this potential,” she said.
Moeketsi said biosecurity was a great concern in the province, as they have registered six outbreaks since April. However, thanks to strong collaboration with the national department, they have controlled the disease and reopened an abattoir, sustaining over 1 400 jobs.
NEXT READ: FMD failures spark alarm at Pretoria crisis talks
