Multimillion rand grant funding for emerging farmers
Emerging farmers are encouraged to apply for multimillion rand grant funding to grow their agri-businesses.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, today (8 June 2016) announced that the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has set aside R117 million in 2017/18 to support emerging farmers through the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP).
“Since 2009, we have supported black farmers to the value of R829 million through CASP. Part of our success is due to the commodity approach we adopted in 2009, which brings together different spheres of government and the private sector to drive specific action plans for our competitive, growing commodities. Since March this year, the full CASP reallocation of R11.4m has been used to provide fodder to developing farmers.”
MEC Winde said agriculture was an important focus area for the Western Cape.
“Through Project Khulisa, we have set ourselves the goal of adding up to 100 000 jobs to the agri-processing sector. Agriculture, with its backward link to agri-processing, will be an important focus area in making this happen. Accelerating the pace of transformation is the right thing to do, and it makes commercial sense. That is why we prioritise investment into land reform projects.”
MEC Winde said that over the next three years, the Western Cape Government’s Farmer Support and Development Unit will support 4 195 new agri-entrepreneurs.
Through CASP, funds are used to purchase equipment or agricultural inputs for farmers.
For more information on how to apply, please see attached.
Enquiries:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
