Joburg Market Day puts farming on the spotlight
07 April 2016
The City of Johannesburg is pushing for more people to get involved in urban agriculture and agro-processing to drive economic growth, create jobs and empower its citizens in line with its Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS 2040) and the National Development Plan (NDP).
Addressing more than 1 500 small-scale farmers, market agents, exhibitors and businesspeople in the agro-business sector at the inaugural Joburg Market Day at City Deep on Wednesday April 6, Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau said the GDS 2040 and NDP – to which the City’s strategy was aligned – stressed the importance of agriculture and food security and emphasised the creation of an inclusive economy.
He said it was an economy diametrically opposed to that of apartheid, which condemned many entrepreneurs to the margins of society.
Mayor Tau said the City was in talks with the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), its property entity, to facilitate the use of rooftops of dilapidated buildings for this purpose.
The Joburg Market Day was held in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Gauteng Growth Development Agency (GGDA), Department of Trade and Industry, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Southern African Development Community. It was attended by businesspeople from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Poland, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and India.
Also present were the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Cllr Ruby Mathang; Cllr Willie van der Schyf, Chairperson of the Economic Development Portfolio Committee; Kehla Shubane, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market; diplomats; and government officials.
Mayor Tau said the City would, in partnership with SEDA and GGDA, train aspiring and existing exporters in the agricultural and agro-processing sectors through the Exporter Awareness Programme. Its Trade and Investment Promotion Unit would also facilitate work space requirements in collaboration with the JPC to provide access to land for export-ready clients.
The Mayor encouraged emerging farmers to take advantage of these opportunities. Already Johannesburg has more than 4 000 agro-processing companies.
“Our intention is to turn them into urban agriculture, enabling agriculture and agro-processing to be established. This particular type agriculture and agro-processing will focus on perishable and high-value products that can be grown in confined spaces,” the mayor said.
“We need to expand dialogue beyond this event. We need to be assertive in advancing the transformation of agro-processing and all other sectors of the South African economy,” he said.
“Through the Joburg Market, we have created opportunities for growth and jobs. Our market agents and tenants have created employment for more than 6 000 people. About 1.3 million tons of fruit and vegetable are sold annually. Last year the market yielded R5.3-billion in turnover. Joburg Market is a shining example of how opportunities for entrepreneurs can be created in the agro-processing industry. Economic development and growth is critical for Joburg as the commercial and economic hub of South Africa. We’re currently contributing 47% to the provincial economy: Joburg Fresh Produce Market is an important element in our city’s economic dynamism.”