About five of the 56 farms that the Ekurhuleni metro is planning to release to local smallholder and subsistence farmers at a value of R120-million are in Boksburg.
The mayor, Mzwandile Masina, recently announced earlier this year during his 2019 State of the City Address that the City will release the agricultural farms to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to development of emerging farmers, while transforming the sector.
The advertisement of the tender calling for prospective beneficiaries of the 56 farms to bid has been released on September 13.
In Boksburg, some of the identified pieces of land include:
- A portion of the remainder of portion three of the farm Koppieskraal 157-IR.
- Portion 712 of the farm Klipfontein 83-IR.
- A portion of the remainder of portion 51 of the farm Leeuwpoort 113-IR.
- Holding 26, Mapleton Agricultural Holdings.
- Remainder of portion 44 of the farm Leeuwpoort 113-IR
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the release of the metro’s 56 farms is the metro’s efforts to improve food security, increase tax and revenue base for the City, expand food exports and attract new investments into the City.
Gadebe said the initiative will also enhance the quality of life for residents in the metro and increase the number of job opportunities in the region.
“The City is in a process of finalising economic partnership agreements with private sector companies, government agencies, development finance institutions, industry bodies, farmers’ associations, research institutions and training organisations,” Gadebe said.
The City’s agriculture development and support programme, of which the rapid land release is part of, covers five key elements.
They will transform and grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector in Ekurhuleni.
Farmers will be assisted with access to council-owned land, technical support, skills development, access to funding and access to markets and off-take agreements.
“The collaboration will support the City’s intent to position Ekurhuleni as the preferred investment destination for urban agriculture and agro-processing, in order to strengthen the City’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), direct domestic investment (DDI) and creating jobs,” Gadebe said.
About R14-m has already been budgeted in the current financial year for services of researchers and economists who will provide support to the programme.
Physical address where bid documents can be collected: Finance building, Tender Office, Ground floor, 68 Woburn Avenue, Benoni.
For more information contact 011 999 6540/6567. Bid closing date is on November 13 at 10am.
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