By: Tebogo Mokwena
SMMEs in the agro-processing sector who need financial and non-financial support must be assisted through the Agro-Processing Fund says the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department. It has prioritised SMMEs that specialise in processing and preserving meat, fruit and vegetables, and businesses that specialise in milling and manufacturing grain mill products, starches and starch products.
According to the Department, enterprises that qualify would be supported with agro-processing blended finance and a linkage to the AgriBEE Fund and the Agri-Industrial Fund. They would also be supported with the necessary equipment for their enterprises. The AgriBEE Fund Fund was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to support SMMEs within the agricultural sector. The Agri-Industrial Fund is provided by the Industrial Development Corporation and targets SMMEs that operate in agriculture and agro-processing sub-sectors like citrus, avocado, table grapes, blueberries, tree nuts, poultry, and livestock.
Businesses will be provided with marketing and branding services, storage units, grading facilities for specific qualities of products, facilities for cleaning fruit and vegetables, pack houses for fruit and vegetables, and abbatoirs. Additional support will include quality assurance measures such as processing equipment and machinery, supporting SMMEs with training and food testing services, and food safety compliance. The department wants the food and beverage sub-sector of agro-processing to be the focal point for the province to support localisation and rebuild manufacturing value chains.
“The Growing Gauteng Together 2030 plan, Agriculture and Agro-Processing Masterplan coupled with the report on the localisation of manufacturing value chains identified agro-processing as one of the 10 high-growth sectors for enhanced support to contribute towards increased economic growth,” the department noted. The fund will promote the entry and participation of previously disadvantaged individuals and township enterprises to enable them to participate in the entire agricultural value chain. It also seeks to ensure that there is an increased number of previously disadvantaged people who own, manage and control sustainable enterprises in the agriculture sector.
