The City of Ekurhuleni has released 56 farms, valued at R120 million, to local smallholder and subsistence farmers to improve food security, increase tax and revenue, expand food export and attract new investment to the City.
Over 1 000 hectares of land will be released to beneficiaries in a programme that’s set to generate about R200 million in revenue for the City through medium-term leases, said City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu.
The City’s agriculture development and support programme covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sectors in Ekurhuleni.
“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,” said Cebekhulu, adding that the City was in the process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development finance institutions, industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations.
The collaboration will support the goal to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing.
“This will strengthen the City’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment and direct domestic investment, as well as the ability to create jobs,” commented Cebekhulu.
