Seed planted for successful agro-processing in the Free State
Agro-Processing in the Free State took centre stage in an exciting competition as part of Enterprise Development and Support Programme of the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Twelve entrepreneurs vied for the top three spots in the Agro-Processing Funding Programme in a highly competitive pitching programme.
DESTEA has intensified its funding support initiative to SMMEs in order to assist them with sustainability and prospect of their enterprises. Working in partnership with the Central University of Technology, Destea developed a programme to able aspiring Agro-Processing enterprises to present their business plans in front of a five member panel. The panel consisting of experts in different fields and looked at the following issues:
- The business must be registered;
- The business must have a business plan;
- Sustainability of business;
- All the necessary documents must be attached;
- Estimated jobs created;
- Employment of women and youth will be prioritised.
The agro-processing development fund will be beneficial to businesses interested into processing of their own agricultural products. Botebo Wines operating in Jacobsdal, was announced as the overall winner and walked away with first prize of R450 000 worth of equipment. AgroSolution came second and received R350 000, third place was Timeless Tomatoes with R200 000 and a special youth award went to Amity Development Solutions who received R100 000
Tebogo Ditsebe, the founder and owner of Botebo Wines, said, “Destea is making sure that radical economic transformation becomes a reality and that women and black people in particular play a major role in the previously white dominated sectors of economy”.
Other interventions of the Department include Tabalaza, Cooperatives and incubator support programmes. Free State enterprises are urged to take these opportunities in order to move from a survivalist status and play a meaningful role in the economy of the Free State.
For more details contact:
Kagisho Leteane
Tel: 051 400 9477
E-mail: leteanek@destea.gov.za
