The city said it is steaming ahead with its rapid land release programme, an initiative which will also enhance the quality of livelihoods and increase job opportunities in the region.
Over 1,000 hectares of land will be released to beneficiaries in a programme that will generate about R200m in revenue for the city through medium-term leases.
The key milestones and timeframes in relation to the programme are as follows:
“The city’s agriculture development and support programme, which the rapid land release is part of, covers five key elements that will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector 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,” City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said.
Cebekhulu said the city is in the process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development financial institutions, industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations.
The collaboration will support the city’s 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 (FDI), direct domestic investment (DDI) and ability to create jobs.
“About R14m has already been budgeted in the current financial year for services of researchers and economists, who will provide support to the programme,” Cebekhulu said.
During his 2019 State of the City Address earlier this year, Mayor Mzwandile Masina announced that the city would release agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.
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