Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina says the cannabis sector has a huge potential for development for the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) located in rural areas where poverty is concentrated.
\n\u201cGovernment estimates that the cultivation and commercialisation of cannabis production in South Africa can generate an estimated R28 billion and could create between 10 000 to 25 000 jobs across the sector.
\n\u201cFocusing on value chains from cultivation and agro-processing to sales, will increase benefits and job creation,\u201d said Gina.
\nThe Deputy Minister was speaking at the Agriculture and Land Summit in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday.
\nShe added that as part of the rural economy, agriculture and agro-processing are at the heart of driving the countryside economy.
\n\u201cAlthough Bergville has fertile land for various crops, it has a unique climate that is favourable to the growing of cannabis.
\n\u201cWe are here to nudge you as people of Bergville to focus more in particular on the growing of cannabis, and the agro-processing of cannabis for markets both domestic and abroad,\u201d Gina said.
\nThe aim of the summit was to identify gaps and explore opportunities in the agricultural sector value chain within the district and the province.
\nThe summit was also aimed at promoting and developing the agricultural sector within the municipality for both commercial and small-holder farmers, as well as promoting youth and women participation in the agricultural sector.
\nGina noted that the Bergville processing plant in Winterton which was built by the Industrial Development Corporation had setbacks which government and stakeholders were currently trying to resolve for both owners and the communities affected.
\n \u201cUKhahlamba and the region of Bergville are sleeping giants in terms of economic prosperity. It is a region full of great history and memorials for tourism.
\n\u201cLocated in the Drakensberg Mountains close to Lesotho and QwaQwa in the Free State, the municipality must use the value proposition of tourism to create local economic development and job creation.\u201d
\nShe also encouraged cooperation between white and black farmers.
\n\u201cOur white farmers, with so much experience, are requested to impart skills to the emerging black farmers through hand-holding exercises. It can only be through sharing of experiences and cooperation that we can build the local economy together, especially the agricultural economy,\u201d said the Deputy Minister.<\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"