The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has called for applications from black citrus growers keen to participate in a R307-million Economic Transformation of Black Citrus Growers Programme.
It is expected to create an additional 1 726 permanent and seasonal jobs in the citrus industry.
This is welcome news as South Africa begins the difficult task of rebuilding its economy amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. “The creation of employment opportunities, especially in our rural areas, is an essential step on the road to economic recovery,” said CGA CEO Justin Chadwick.
Last year, the CGA submitted an application to the Jobs Fund for a project that would make funding and technical support available to black citrus growers for orchard establishment, expansion and rehabilitation, as well as on-farm development of various infrastructure including pack houses, bulk-water supply and irrigation systems.
The Jobs Fund committed R118 million to the project, with the Land Bank agreeing to contribute an additional R116 million in loan funding.
The CGA has contributed R24 million, while the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) and Agriseta have pledged R34 million and R12 million respectively.
To qualify for funding, growers must have a minimum of 60% black ownership (of both assets and operations) as defined by the B-BBEE Act of 2013, while priority will be given to enterprises with 100% black ownership.
Other criteria that need to be met include: producing or packing citrus that is exported, having appropriate management structures, relationships with external service providers (financial auditors, legal services, logistics, fruit exports etc), human resource development plans, security of land tenure, and sufficient water supply.
Most importantly, applicants must also demonstrate that they will create permanent and seasonal job opportunities with the development funding.
Black citrus farmers interested in applying for funding can visit https://cga-gdc.org.za/jobs-fund-application for more information and submit their applications electronically. – Justin Chadwick, CEO of the CGA.
