In order to unlock the economic potential of commercial agriculture, it is crucial that we tackle the number of challenges facing black commercial farmers in a coordinated and integrated manner. It became apparent that there was a need to have a separate entity that would be able to accelerate provision of a comprehensive and holistic support to black commercial farmers. In July 2009, Cabinet passed a resolution to establish a public entity to focus on newly established black commercial farming enterprises.
The benefits of having the Agribusiness Development Agency include the following;
- Ability to leverage both financial and non financial support from a variety of public, private and donor institutions as well as commodity institutions and organized agricultural unions
- Capacity to provide comprehensive and integrated support services across the value chain from production, training and mentorship, access to markets and value adding
- A streamlined procurement process that responds to the seasonal nature of the agricultural sector since the funding is housed under one entity.
The Agency has gone through a rigorous strategic planning process in which its mandate has been interpreted. The Agency has positioned itself to resuscitate as well as develop commercial agriculture in the Province. Through this Agency we will be able to increase the value of farms owned by Black commercial farmers, reduce the number of farms being repossesses as well as deal with the decline of local economies of many rural towns that rely on commercial agriculture for their livelihoods. Furthermore, the Agency will be critical in realizing the job creation imperative which is the key focus of the New Growth Path.
