Question NW2171 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
30 June 2023 - NW2171
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, in light of the municipal service delivery failures that have precipitated significant operational challenges for agribusinesses, her department will reconsider its approach to allow for more private sector participation in critical infrastructure provision; if not, what are the reasons that her department will not leverage private-sector efficiency and innovation to counterbalance municipal inadequacies; if so, what (a) framework is envisaged for the public-private collaboration and (b) are the further relevant details?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
The Department of Cooperative Governance is mandated to address municipal related matters including Local Economic Development.
- The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) works closely with municipalities in the construction of Agri-Parks including Farmer Production Support Units, Agri Hubs and rural access roads.
- DALRRD has partnered with the African Development Bank through the Middle-Income Country Technical Assistance Fund (MIC TAF) Grant of $400,000.00 for appointment of a transactional advisor to assist in enhancing and upscaling the Agri-Parks program to a sustainable infrastructure development system (SIDS) methodology. This approach will facilitate public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) and value proposition for sustainable and bankable Agri-Parks supporting Agribusiness in line with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. The two pilot projects identified for the partnership are: Tshiame Agri-Park in the Free State Province and Springbokpan Agri-Park in the Northwest Province as gazetted as Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS) in South Africa.