R45-m for Ugu Agri-Park
It is hoped the initiative will be of particular benefit to novice farmers.
THE sum of R20-billion has been set aside for the establishment of Agri-Parks nationally, with R45-m of that allocated to the Ugu district to cover infrastructure and production costs for the financial year 2015/2016.
According to Lisa Delgrande from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: “Agri-Park is a network innovation system of agricultural production processes which include logistics, marketing and training services located at developing district municipalities.”
The Agri-Park comprises three sets of units: Farmer production support unit, agri-hub unit and rural urban market centre unit. These units are set to develop and equip farmers with the necessary resources, as well as encouraging private farmer participation, said Clinton Heinemann of the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Ugu mayor, Ntombifikile Gumede said the municipality intends to roll out the Agri-Park programme in the district in an attempt to ‘combat the socio-economic status of the district’ as well as to lend a helping hand to novice farmers.
“We are looking to the Agri-Park model to improve the capacity and production of smallholder farmers, value chain development, market access, and to ensure resources are better utilised through focused interventions for job creation,” she said.
