KZN Agriculture programme links small-scale farmers to big retailers
Small-scale farmers in Umsinga are set to benefit from an initiative that will allow them to supply produce to major retailers for the first time.
The KZN Department of Agriculture has launched the Umnotho Kubantu outreach programme in Tugela Ferry, which seeks to link farmers to the market.
This will help accelerate the production of quality goods and ultimately see emerging farmers run profitable businesses.
MEC Supa Zuma says an estimated R3 million is expected to be generated in the next three months in partnership with Umsinga cooperatives.
To date, over 4 000 KZN farmers have made a turnover of R151 million since the launch of the programme.
"We bought trucks that assist in terms of transport produce to the market. We will be linking them to big retailers, Boxer and Spar - so it is a very big problem that we are trying and deal with the whole retail system,” says Zuma.
