MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
08 APRIL 2020
MEC BLOEM URGES NORTHERN CAPE FARMERS TO APPLY FOR CORVID 19 FUNDING
The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms. Nomandla Bloem, is calling on Small Holder and Subsistence Farmers in the Northern Cape, to apply for funding which is aimed at alleviating the impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The application for funding will be open from today, 08 April 2020, and will close on 22 April 2020.
This follows the announcement made by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza’s on Monday, that R1,2 billion will be made available to support Small Holder and Subsistence Farmers during the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
About R400 millions of these funds, has been set aside for farmers who are supported through the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) and R750 million for Small Holder Farmers on small parcels of land and communal land.
MEC indicated that these interventions are meant to support food security during the State of Disaster.
“Food security in our Province is key, hence we welcome the Minister’s announcement and call on our Small Holder Farmers and Subsistence Farmers to take advantage of this opportunity and apply in their numbers. Our officials in the Province and at the District Offices will be on stand-by, ready to assist when need arises,” said MEC Bloem.
MEC Bloem further indicated that the main objective of the fund is to complete the current production cycle by ensuring adequate food production and supply in the Province.
The targeted beneficiaries are smallholder and communal producers with a turnover between R20 000 and R1 million per annum. About 50% women, 40% youth and 6% people with disability will be targeted. South African citizens who have been actively farming for a minimum of 12 months. Farmers who are currently in production and registered on a farmer register, commodity database or provincial database of farmers in communal areas.
The amount to be approved to each farmer will be up to a maximum of R50 000.
The Funding is a grant and the voucher system will apply in partnership with distributors and manufacturers of the agricultural inputs and the grant shall not exceed R50 000 per farming operation.
The following commodities will be supported:
• Poultry: Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
• Vegetables: Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction.
• Fruits: Final spraying programmes for fruit that are ready for harvest.
• Other Livestock: Feed and medication.
• Winter field crops: Soil correction, fertilizers, seeds, herbicides and pesticides.
Prospective applicants should note that no applications will be accepted after the closing date.
Application forms will be available from the 8th of April 2020 on www.dalrrd.gov.za and through National, Provincial, District and Local offices of both the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
Applications must be lodged electronically at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or alternatively submitted with the offices as outlined.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Nyakallo Moletsane – 083 456 6153
Ms. Lillian Senosi - 082 559 6648
Or our District Managers on the following numbers:
Mr Christo Smit (ZF Mgcawu)– 082 559 6778
Mr Darren Engelbrecht (Namakwa) - 082 560 8855
Ms Ntombizodwa Mokgalagadi (Pixley ka Seme) – 082 559 7289
Mr Patrick Tonyane (John Taolo Gaetsewe) - 082 559 5948
Mr Malebogo Mocwiri (Frances Baard) – 082 559 0827
END
For media enquiries contact Zandisile Luphahla- Media Liaison Officer: 083 391 5388
Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform