Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
In the light of the progress that has been made with the restoration of property rights afforded to the beneficiaries under the Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act, 1998 (Act 94 of 1998) (TRANCRAA), in terms of which agricultural land has been transferred to Indigenous communities of the Western Cape:
- What specific training programmes or mechanisms does his Department have in place to support the new beneficiaries of agricultural land,
- how does his Department offer assistance to these beneficiaries in terms of access to capital funding,
- access to capital funding,
- access to advisory services, and
- assistance in securing local or export markets and
- what is the procedure to be followed by communal property associations (CPAs) to apply for
- financial support and
- legal support offered by the Department?
- TRANCRAA communities have been farming on the current land for several generations. Over several years, the department has capacitated and trained them on production techniques and market demands.
b) (i) Once a year the Department advertises the grant funding to its disposal and individuals and/or households are welcome to apply if they comply with the grant criteria.
(ii) Our advisory services are free on demand and citizens from these communities are welcome to approach our Extension Practitioners for advice.
(iii) We have a market access programme within the Department which is more than willing to assist these communities with exporting to the markets irrespective of whether it is for local or export markets.
c) (i) The CPAs (Community Property Association) and/or individuals are welcome to respond to our advert and contact our Departmental office in their district for the necessary business plan format and guidance through the process.
(ii) The Department doesn’t offer legal support to CPAs, except when the legal opinion or support is linked to Departmental interventions on their farm.
