Gauteng emerging farmers in the priority areas of poultry, piggery, grains, vegetables, red meat, cannabis, aquaculture, rabbit, bee farming and agri-processing are invited to apply for funding as part of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment’s efforts to grow the agricultural sector, create jobs and alleviate poverty in the province.

The Comprehensive Agricultural Support programme (CASP) which closes next week Friday (March 15), is informed by the Department’s elevated priority focus to maintain sustainable food security in the province.

“We are making a call to the historical disadvantaged and the vulnerable groups: our women, youth and people living with disabilities to apply for the farmer support grant and become part of our relentless fight against hunger,” Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe said. 

According to Hlophe, the farmer support programme is aimed at providing Small Medium and Micro Enterprise farmers with much needed boost towards their farming establishments. 

The relief  programme is building on its previous successes which has seen an average of 250 beneficiaries per annum empowered into the mainstream economy since its establishment in 2004.

The annual subsidy is available to groups and individuals as a once-off intervention so that the Department can cover a wider spectrum of beneficiaries for reasonable impact. 

To remain transparent, the process takes place under the microscope of an independent five member evaluation and adjudication  panel.

The panel consists of professionals from fields including economists, animal scientists, crop scientists, engineers and food scientists.

Potential beneficiaries need to meet the following conditional requirements to apply: 

    •    Application form signed and dated
    •    South African Certified ID (not more than three months)
    •    Valid confirmation of land tenure/ownership such as tittle deeds, permission to occupy land and/or minimum five years lease agreement. 
    •    Already farming
    •    Farming operation’s ability to create permanent or seasonal jobs
    •    In cases where the Environment Impact Assessment certificate is required, such evidence must be provided.

Once all these have been met, applications may be emailed to:GDARDFARMERSUPPORT@gauteng.gov.za. 

Prospective applicants can obtain forms from the following satellite offices as well as the website: www.gauteng.gov.za and GDARDE or alternatively applicants can use the link: http://bit.ly/3P8sBCz to obtain the form

Issued by Gauteng Department Of Agriculture And Rural Development Regional Offices & Nature Reserves