President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the expansion of successful black-owned commercial farms to accelerate land reform, create jobs and boost rural economic growth.
Speaking during a visit to Redlands Dairy Farm in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the black and youth-owned enterprise demonstrated what could be achieved through access to land, affordable finance, mentorship and skills development.
“We need many more Redlands across South Africa. We must take what works and scale it up,” he said.
The farm has benefited from the Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme, which combines government grants and loans to help farmers establish sustainable commercial businesses.
Ramaphosa said emerging farmers often struggle to secure funding because they lack collateral and an established farming track record. He called for sustainable financing solutions to help more black farmers expand their operations.
The President also reiterated government’s plan to release approximately 2.5 million hectares of land to black farmers across the country.
He said agriculture and its value chains employ about 1.3 million people, stressing the need to expand employment opportunities, improve market access and help emerging farmers move into processing and distribution.
Ramaphosa highlighted agriculture’s potential to address poverty and unemployment in the Eastern Cape, while emphasising the importance of strengthening plant and animal health systems.
He congratulated Redlands owner Tshilidzi Matshidzula, his family and the farm team, saying successful agricultural enterprises should be replicated to build a productive, competitive and inclusive sector that contributes to food security and economic growth.
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