The metro is steaming ahead with its rapid land release programme.
It is releasing 56 farms at a value of R120-million to local smallholder and subsistence farmers to improve food security, increase the tax and revenue base for the metro, expand food exports and attract new investments into Ekurhuleni.
The initiative will also enhance the quality of livelihoods, and increase the number of job opportunities in the region.
Over 1 000 hectares of land will be released to beneficiaries in a programme that will generate about R200-m in revenue for the metro through medium-term leases, in addition to other immense economic benefits.
The key milestones and timeframes in relation to the programme are as follows:
• The advertisement of the tender calling for prospective beneficiaries of the 56 farms to bid was released on September 13.
• A briefing session for the candidate beneficiaries will be held on October 4 at the Germiston City Hall from 9am.
• The metro will hold the Ekurhuleni Agriculture Summit to thrash out how the metro will use agriculture to boost its economy on October 7 and 8.
The metro’s agriculture development and support programme, of which the rapid land release is part thereof, covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector in Ekurhuleni, as farmers will be assisted with access to council-owned land, technical support, skills development, access to funding and access to markets and off-take agreements.
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The metro is in the process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development financial institutions (DFIs), industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations.
The collaboration will support the metro’s intent to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing, in order to strengthen the metro’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), direct domestic investment (DDI) and job creation.
About R14-m has already been budgeted in the current financial year for the services of researchers and economists who will provide support to the programme.
Executive mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina announced earlier this year during his 2019 State of the City Address (SOCA) that the metro will release the agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to the development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
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