President Jacob Zuma accompanied by Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Gugile Nkwinti today (11 April 2017) conducted a site visit of the Westonaria Agri-Park in Bekkersdal outside Johannesburg.
Addressing the community and local farmers, President Jacob Zuma said he was happy to see the progress that has been made in the roll-out of the Agri-Park program and that he was impressed with what he had seen.
After inspecting the technologically advanced Vertical Hydroclimaponic method of farming the President commended the efforts of Government adding that use of newer technology in the production of crops was a noteworthy development. This method of farming uses no soil and the production of vegetables is fast tracked by growing them in a controlled environment.
"Having visited this Agri-Park I am convinced that we are on the right track with this programme. I am also pleased that the question of market access is being addressed because many smallholders farmers fail, due to their inability to gain access to markets for their produce", the President added.
Through a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, farmers and other stakeholders, market access has been secured with the local Fresh Produce market and supermarket chains.
"We remain resolute in our commitment to build a better South Africa and to create a better future for our people. We are working toward bringing much needed economic transformation to this area", he told the gathering.
The President also thanked Ministers Nkwinti and Zokwana for their vision and leadership in implementing and rolling out of the Agri-Park programme.
Other ministers in attendance included, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Des Van Rooyen, and Minister of Communications Ms Ayanda Dlodlo. Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini was also present and MEC Barbara Creecy joined the President in her capacity as acting premier of the Gauteng Province.
The establishment of Agri-Parks in all 44 district municipalities in South Africa is set to transform the rural economy by among others, creating a market and support for small holder farmers, creating employment opportunities for rural communities, infrastructure development and revitalizing the agriculture and agro-processing value chain.
To ensure their sustainability, government will provide financial and material support for Agri-Parks for a period of ten years, after which farmers in the various districts must assume complete control. Agri-Parks will serve as important vehicle to take forward the National Development Plan's strategy for rural development, by supporting small-scale agricultural production and stimulating agro-processing in rural areas. The Agri-Parks Programme has become the cornerstone of the government's priority to revitalise agriculture and agro-processing value chain, which is also one of the priorities of the Nine-Point Plan. All 44 district municipalities have been included in the said Programme.
The Agri-Parks are an integral part, and driver, of the Rural Economic Transformation Model, which focuses on the generation and stimulation of both subsistence and commercial enterprises. 70% Equity in the Agri-Parks shall be owned by producers, with the state and other commercial interests anchoring the other 30%.
The state's strategic support will diminish over a period of 10 years with producers taking full control. Due consideration was given to, amongst others, Government's Programme of Action, the Medium Term Strategic Framework (2014-2019) and the objectives and the 18 key targets of the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP's approach of targeting high value commodities (most of which are labour intensive) to stimulate industrial growth will be accompanied by measures that ensure sustainable production on redistributed land and an improved institutional support system
