The metro is collaborating with other stakeholders to increase support to Tshwane farmers as part of a programmeto strengthen the agricultural sector in the region.

THE City of Tshwane’s Agriculture and Environmental Management Department will increase its support to Tshwane farmers in order to strengthen the agricultural sector, propel the city's economy to higher levels, and create a source of sustainable livelihood.

The support programme will be implemented pursuant to the observations made in the United Nations' 2005 Halving Hunger report, which argues that agriculture can contribute to the first Millennium Development Goal in two ways; firstly by stimulating food production and secondly by kick-starting economic development.

There will be three categories of farmer support. The first category will be targeted at household food production. In this category support will be through the expansion of the provision of agricultural starter packs, and training and capacity programmes to households that have food gardens.

The second category will be the strengthening of community projects. This will involve the provision of agricultural starter packs to community projects, training and capacity programmes, on-farm infrastructure development, access to the market and finance, as well as mechanisation schemes. 

An initial project in this regard is already up and running in Olievenhoutbosch where this department is assisting the Olievenhoutbosch Centre for the Disabled to look after and expand its vegetable garden.

The third category will be support to emerging farmers. This group will be supported through training and capacity-building programmes, a mechanisation scheme, sustainable agricultural villages and comprehensive agricultural support in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Government.

An example of support to the emerging farmers is the support provided to the Winterveld citrus farmers, where the City of Tshwane provides expert technical support and facilitates market entry.

Factors that will be taken into account when assessing who will be assisted include the feasibility of the operation, the number of beneficiaries (the more, the better), the potential for positive socioeconomic impact, the environmental impact, and the availability of water.

The support will not be provided only by the City of Tshwane. The City will collaborate with other stakeholders such as the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Agricultural Research Council, the Tshwane University of Technology, the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and private companies.

In this way the City will be drawing the maximum benefit from its position as host to national research institutions and universities, plus the national government.

It is expected that the programme will expand and that more demands will be placed on the department once the Metsweding District Municipality has merged with Tshwane. The merger will take place after the local government elections on 18 May 2011.

Source: Tshwane