Fund open doors to emerging farmers

Share the Article:

Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe is calling on emerging farmers to apply for financial aid.

Gauteng emerging farmers in the priority areas of poultry, piggery, grains, vegetables, red meat, cannabis, aquaculture, rabbit, bee farming and agri-processing are invited to apply for funding.

This as part of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment’s efforts to grow the agricultural sector, create jobs and alleviate poverty in the province.

According to Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe, the Comprehensive Agricultural Support programme (CASP) which closes this week Friday, is informed by the Department’s elevated priority focus to maintain sustainable food security in the province.

“We are making a call to the historically disadvantaged and the vulnerable groups: our women, youth and people living with disabilities to apply for the farmer support grant and become part of our relentless fight against food insecurity,” MEC Hlophe said. 

Programme to provide farmers with much needed boost

She stated that the farmer support programme is aimed at providing Small Medium and Micro Enterprise farmers with much needed boost towards their farming establishments. 

Hlophe continued; “The relief programme is building on its previous successes which has seen an average of 250 beneficiaries per annum empowered into the mainstream economy since its establishment in 2004.

“The annual subsidy is available to groups and individuals as a once-off intervention so that the Department can cover a wider spectrum of beneficiaries for reasonable impact. 

ALSO READ | Consumers urged to return various peanut butter brands to stores

“To remain transparent, the process takes place under the microscope of an independent evaluation and adjudication  panel.”

The MEC added that the panel consists of professionals from fields including economists, animal scientists, crop scientists, engineers and food scientists.