Illovo’s small-scale project empowers KZN cane farmers and women

South Africa’s Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza commended sugar producer Illovo for its small-scale farming development project in KwaZulu-Natal that empowered nearly 2,000 cane farmers.

DURBAN, June 9 (ANA) – A R127 million (US$9.4 million) project run by South African sugar giant Illovo has created 860 jobs and empowered women to participate in the rural economy in KwaZulu-Natal province, according to a company statement.

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza commended Illovo on the small-scale farming development project in the south coast of KZN, which empowered nearly 2,000 cane farmers.

Didiza visited the 3,000 hectare site in Sezela for the project which got funding of about R63 million each from Illovo and the National Treasury’s job fund.

Under the scheme, 119 local contractors have increased the supply of sugar cane for Illovo’s Sezela factory, doubling output from the original 150,000 tonnes output per annum forecast.

“The contribution of black commercial farmers in the country’s agricultural economy was still low and these low levels of inclusion call for serious intervention from both the government and other stakeholders in driving inclusive growth,” Didiza said after a meeting with local farmers.

“We need more public-spirited players like Illovo Sugar who are willing to work with the government in order to leverage our resources in the commercialisation of black farmers, while we ensure that we give meaningful support to those who are beneficiaries of land reform.”

The project is also an indication that collaborations between private companies, the government and communities can help alleviate poverty and drive economic growth, Illovo Sugar managing director Mamongae Mahlare said.

“The confidence of the jobs fund which met us halfway with concessional funding, and the support of other stakeholders including the SA Canegrowers Association and the South African Farmers Development Association, have been integral to this revolutionary project,” Mahlare said.

“The collaborative multi-stakeholder approach to bring a local system of innovation to life in just three years has resulted in 1,704 growers being given the opportunity to develop cane on their land.”

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa