Supplied
A 10-year agreement concluded between the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and the Department of Defence, will see black farmers supplying army bases with agricultural produce.
The agreement, penned on Friday, will not only benefit black small-scale farmers but will also create opportunities for unemployed agriculture graduates to produce and supply their agricultural products to the same military bases in the province.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform says in terms of the deal, they will identify black producers, processors and entities that will produce agriculture products to be bought by the Department of Defence for their bases in the Eastern Cape.
Bhisho's acting head of the Department, Bongikhaya Dayimani, said the agreement is a huge milestone for the department that has been driving the commercialisation of agriculture in the province.
"The agreement presents an opportunity for small-holder farmers to now aggregate their produce and supply all the military bases in the province. They would now be in the database of the Defence, as and when the Defence requires food, they would then be able to tender and be able to be appointed to support the Defence," he said.
It will now promote the production, agro-processing and people consuming what they are producing," said Dayimani.
He said as part of the Department Of Defence's social responsibility programme, they will provide farms and state-owned land parcels under its control for use and allocation to the military veterans or their dependents and reserve force members.
