The Sernick Group is embarking on the second phase of its programme for developing farmers in the Free State after obtaining a funding grant from ABSA.
This phase will see a continuation of the Sernick Group’s highly successful programme, for which it worked with the Jobs Fund at National Treasury between 2018 and 2020.
“The initiative is a comprehensive intervention in which young black farmers are recruited, trained, set up and provided with supply opportunities through integration into Sernick’s value chain,” the group said in a statement.
A total of 660 farmers (in “tier 1”) were first recruited, given SETA-accredited training and an opportunity to replace their old stock with good quality cattle that fetch higher prices at the market.
A total of 300 farmers were then selected from the 660 (moving to “tier 2”) and equipped with technical skills to enable them to develop their own herds while maintaining healthy cash flows to meet their working capital requirements. A further 50 farmers (“tier 3”) were selected from these 300 farmers and upskilled into viable commercial entities with their own production capacity.
“This second phase with Absa, and Sustainable Agri NPC (Sernick’s non-profit arm), which will span over three years, allows Sernick to take on 60 additional tier 2 farmers and 40 additional tier 3 farmers. ABSA will also make loans available to eligible tier 3 farmers on certain terms and conditions,” the group added.
Recruitment and selection
The 40 farmers in tier 3 will be selected from the initial programme with the Jobs Fund, as well as new entrants in tier 2 of the second programme.
All farmers with a formal land tenure of more than 300ha as well as 40 productive cattle may apply for this second programme. Farmers who have benefitted from the programme with the Jobs Fund may not apply again.
“They are, however, automatically considered for selection as a tier 3 farmer in the second programme.”
Interested and qualifying farmers who want to join the programme can send email to Naledi@cmeat.co.za for an application form that must be submitted to her office before the end of September 2021.
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