Afasa's national chairperson, Neo Masithela, said the association is excited about Mboweni’s approach to ensure that agriculture is set as a higher industry to rejuvenate economic development with regards to small businesses and black people in farming areas.

OFM News’ Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Masithela...

Mboweni’s acknowledgment and government’s pledge to support smallholder farmers are re-assuring, says Masithela. This comes after Mboweni announced the state will be supporting private sector investments in agriculture by emerging farmers. R1.8 billion has been allocated for the implementation of 262 priority land reform projects over the next three years, whilst R3.7 billion was set aside to assist emerging farmers seeking to acquire land for farming purposes. The Land Bank will also support smallholders and R3 billion will be disbursed in the next fiscal year.

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