This announcement was made by Zolile Duze, general manager of the Grain Farmer Development Association (GFADA), a private sector initiative aimed at promoting the establishment and development of developing grain farmers in South Africa.
“The objectives of GFADA and its concept for transformation are fully supported by the trust,” said Duze. He said the Maize Trust’s financial support would enable GFADA to assist emerging grain producers with interventions that directly addressed their needs and challenges.
He called on farmers to keep in contact with the institutions providing them with input credit, so that they could qualify for further support. Duze said GFADA worked with institutions such as agribusinesses and banks, and their support was aimed at reducing the financial dependency of farmers and improving their profit margins.
According to Duze, farmers received subsidies for soil corrections, crop insurance, mentorship, while subsidies of up to 50% of input costs per hectare for five years, were introduced recently. Chairperson of the Maize Trust, Karabo Peele, said GFADA was in the best position to serve the interests of emerging farmers.
