The Gauteng Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has rolled-out the Agri-park programme, an incubator for smallholder farmers in the Gauteng region, trying to kickstart rural economic transformation in an industry that has seen slow growth.
Joanne Josephs from ‘702’ sits down with GDARD’s Charles Manyaga and Tediso Malepo to talk about the concerted effort that is being made to ensure that emerging black farmers flourish in an oligopolistic market.
To facilitate farmers in need of assistance, the Department identified an area within their vicinity where they would be able to aggregate production and get their product to market. In addition to this, 702.co.za reports how the Department has provided the farmers with pack house facilities, fitted with machinery and equipment, vastly contributing to their operational efficiency and economies of scale.
