The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti cordially invites members of the media the official handover of sugar beet (biofuel) farms at on Wednesday the 3 April 2013. The hand-over can be described as part of the department’s strides in reversing the legacy of the infamous 1913 Natives Land Act which would have been 100 years old in June 2013 if it was still in existence.
To propel the sugar beet initiative around towns in the Karroo the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) purchased a number of farms collectively measuring 16 000 hectares in extent situated within the administrative divisions of Cradock, Cookhouse, and Somerset East. The total cost of acquiring the farms was R346 million.
A cooperation agreement was concluded between the IDC, the CEF and SBRSA, now known as Agrarian Research & Development Agency (ARDA), to establish a bio-fuels processing plant in the Eastern Cape. The ARDA assumed the role of the agricultural production and feedstock supply member in the consortium. The DRDLR has entered into a Caretaker Agreement and a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the ARDA. Beneficiaries have been allocated to all the farms and ARDA provide support to these beneficiaries. The farms would ultimately incorporate feedstock to provide the ethanol plant as part of their rotational crops.
Sugar beet was introduced to provide for the bio-fuel processing plant in Cradock. After the decision was made for the plant by the government of South Africa, a Joint Venture (JV) consisting of IDC, CEF and Sugar Beet South Africa was formed and it was called Arengo 316 PTY (Ltd). The DRDLR farms were placed under the caretakership of Arengo 316 (PTY) Ltd which tasked the Agrarian Research Development Agency (ARDA) to maintain the properties at minimal cost. Among others, the farms also have to provide feedstock for the ethanol project in partnership with ARDA.
The beneficiaries of farms underwent a selection process before being identified.
The criteria for the selection included:
- Skills and attitude towards farming
- Operate with minimal assistance
- Willing to use the arable land for the production of feedback for the ethanol project
- Proof of ownership of livestock and agricultural assets.
The event will be held under the following details:
Date: 4 April 2013
Venue: Sports field, Cradock
Time: 09h00 - 15h00
Accreditation: Journalists who will be attending the media briefing will be required to provide their Press Cards for their media organisation or any form of Identity.
For RSVP and further information regarding the briefing kindly contact the following officials:
Mr Kholekile Sonjica: Eastern Cape PSSC
Tel: 043 700 7030
Cell: 082 419 5253
Mr Sehloho Mphati: Communication Services
Tel: 012 312 8112
Cell: 083 977 4040
Mr Tshepo Diale: Communication Services
Tel: 012 312 8532
Cell: 071 850 1751
