The Vrede farm project is expected to grow the Free State economy. This, after the Free State Government handed over the farming trust to residents of the Phumelela Local Municipality last week.
According to a statement issued by the Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela, a total of 2 094 hectares of land was allocated for the project.
Ntombela said that a total of 583 dairy cattle and nine horses were also allocated to the beneficiaries to ensure that the project becomes a success. She said that the government is expecting the project to have a meaningful contribution to the economic growth and development of the local municipality and the country at large. However, Ntombela raised concerns over the list of beneficiaries that is dominated by men.
“The list of beneficiaries of the trust does, however, paint a rather worrying picture with 34 percent of the 65 verified beneficiaries being women while 66 percent are men. This clearly indicates that there is still much work to be done in ensuring greater participation of women in commercial agriculture,” said Ntombela.
She further added that the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to support the project and work together with beneficiaries to ensure that the farming project becomes a success.
Kekeletso Mosebetsi
