By Kopano Dibakwane
About 600 farmers gathered at the packed Eastdene Community Hall in Middleburg during a massive roadshow conducted by Mpumalanga DARDLEA(Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs), and the National Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Mpumalanga Show.
According to DARDLEA, the roadshow focused on Blended Financial Scheme, the Agro Energy Fund, and the Mpumalanga International Food Market. Funding opportunities available to farmers, from partnering financial institutions, were also presented.
“ These roadshows are part of preparing farmers for the soon-to-be-operational Mpumalanga International Food Market, and to also set the tone for the 2025 instalment of the massive Mpumalanga Agricultural Show at the Mbombela Stadium in September.
“ Mpumalanga is the first province to receive the good news about the Blended Financial Scheme and Agro Energy Fund, through the roadshow. The Blended Financial Schemes aims at facilitating meaningful participation of majority agribusinesses that were previously disadvantaged in the value chain,” said DARDLEA.
Insightful information on access to blended finance grants and loans, from the partnering financial institutions, was imparted by the National Department of Agriculture led by the Programme Manager for CASP and Blended Financial Scheme, Elda Mtshiza, as well as representatives from Land Bank, ABSA, and IDC(Industrial Development Corporation).
