The Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha has told district politicians, traditional leaders and stakeholders in the Namakwa District Municipality in Northern Cape that the key programs of the Department are aimed to creating jobs; stimulate economic growth and eradicating poverty in rural areas.
The Deputy Minister Skwatsha said the Northern Cape has among the highest poverty rates in the country despite the mineral wealth it possesses. He added that with the key poverty alleviation and economic growth programs the Department is bringing to the province a change the lives of the community members is envisioned. “We are here as government to create an equal society where people, black or white live and prosper together in harmony” he concluded.
The Deputy Minister was speaking during his visit (today, 21 September 2017) with the provincial leaders in the Northern Cape Province to engage with District and Local municipalities on the implementation of Rural Development and Land Reform Programs. The programs are:
Agri-parks program
1 Household 1 Hectare
And the revised Comprehensive Rural Development Program
The area of Warrenton in that province has been identified as the site for the establishment of an Agri-hub and Jan Kempdorp was chosen for the farmer support production unit for the Frances Baard District Municipality.
The primary commodity for the Agri-park that is to be established in the area is poultry and the secondary commodity is beef, goats and sheep production.
Megareng, just outside Warrenton on the N12 road will be the location of the Agri-hub. The farmer support unit will assist farmers with seeds, irrigation, tractors, extension services and training of the emerging farmers. The aim is to bring small, communal and commercial farmers into the Agri-park net, giving them access to training, infrastructure, equipment, logistics and markets.
The Agri-parks will be funded by the government and the private sector through the Agri-BEE schemes. State farms will be used for both farm production and agro-processing plants.
In John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Kuruman has been identified as the site of Agri-hub and the Farmer Production Support Unit will be located in Heuningvlei and the surrounding farms. Red meat will be the primary commodity and goats and sheep will be secondary commodity. The Department of Rural Development and Land reform will also construct a brand new abattoir as a part of the Agri-Park.
For ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Melkstroom will be used as the site for the establishment of the Agri-hub and Upington will serve as the centre for rural market. Table grapes have been identified as the primary commodity and wine grapes and red meat were identified as the secondary commodity.
Petrusville in Renosterberg local municipality has been identified as the site for the establishment of the Agri-hub in Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality and the primary commodity is red meat with goats and cattle as secondary commodity. An existing abattoir will be converted into a tannery at a cost of more than R12 million. The Farmer Production Support Units will be located in the six major towns in the district namely, Vosburg, Colesberg, Douglas, Griekwastad, Van Wyksvlei and Van der Kloof.
In the Namakwa District Municipality, the Agri-hub will be located in Springbok and the primary commodity is sheep production, whilst the secondary commodity is divided between the oceans economy and land economy with emphasis on abalone, crayfish and the production of rooibos tea. The FSU for land economy will be located at the following towns, Onseepkans, Niewoudtville, Witbank, Pella, and Coboop. For ocean economy farm support unit will be located in Hondeklip Bay and Port Nolloth.
The Deputy Minister also appealed to the District Land Rights Committees to ensure they identify deserving beneficiaries for the 1Household 1 Hectare program. Through this program single hectare portions of land are allocated to beneficiaries for the purpose of agricultural production.
The revised Comprehensive Rural Development Program (CRDP) which was outlined by the Department seeks to improve the mobilisation of stakeholders in order to revitalise the program. The CRDP is a comprehensive initiative that aims to ensure that resources are channelled to the most underdeveloped rural areas.
The engagements are part of nationwide consultations undertaken by DRDLR with District and Local Municipality on key interventions to improve service delivery linked to the implementation of rural development and poverty alleviation programs.
Issued by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Enquiries: Ms Linda Page – Chief Director: Strategic Communications | Tel: +27 12 312 8502 | Cell: 083 4604 482/ 071 334 3479| Eviction Toll-free Number 0800 007 095 I linda.page@drdlr.gov.za I www.drdlr.gov.za
