An article that was published by African Farming and Landbouweekblad titled: Fresh produce market in Mpumalanga shut down by court this week.
The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA),wishes to clarify the matter stating that it is deeply concerned about the misconception, misinformation and deliberate disinformation of the article, which seeks to connect or link the shutdown of one market in Nelspruit to Mpumalanga International FoodMarket, ostensibly to sully the image of the MIF, create panic and doubt amongst stakeholders and general members of public.
“Despite the shutdown having nothing to do with the newly developed Mpumalanga International FoodMarket (MIF), as evidenced by the reading of the article, the publications nonetheless saw it fit to use the image of the MIF to bait readers and draw traffic to their publication,” reads a statement.
The shutdown of Market
The order relates to Nelspruit Market Agency, trading under the name Whoopi Up (Pty) Ltd as per statement issued by APAC, a statutory body established under Section 2 of the same Act to regulate the activities of fresh produce, export and livestock agents, and to ensure integrity, transparency and financial compliance within the sector.
No progress allegations
News that no progress has been made in opening the new Mpumalanga International FoodMarket in Mbombela is also incorrect. The market is being geared up for opening soon as all approvals are in place. This includes issuing of Certificate of Acceptability, (COA), a compliance certificate for food businesses that ensures premises, food handling, and transport meet hygiene and safety
regulations. Meanwhile, letter of concessions have been issued by the City of Mbombela regarding by-laws with certificates of compliance due out soon. Date for launch will be announced soon as the compliance certificates are in place.
Name Change
Cognisant of the fact that fruit and vegetables are not the sum of nutritious staple food in demand by consumers, DARDLEA consented and approved the proposition by the Operator during bid stage, to turn the facility into a FoodMarket as opposed to a mere Fresh Produce Market, hence the name: Mpumalanga International FoodMarket or MIF. Supporting the decision was the fact that Mpumalanga is more than about horticulture produce, but a cradle of production of various livestock, nuts, poultry, eggs, grains and others.
The strategy to turn the platform into a FoodMarket will not only ensure no farmer is excluded from having a platform to trade their produce, but also turn MIF into a catalyst to growing the provincial economy, creating more jobs and lasting change for local farmers in rural communities while heightening Mpumalanga’s relevance in global food supply.
Stakeholder Engagement
Noting the importance to ensure the market serves the needs of local farmers, and cognisant of lack or low level of awareness about the workings of a Commission Business Model used at National Fresh Produce Markets, the MIF Operator and DARDLEA have embarked on a roadshow to meet farmers in all districts, the aim being to train and empower them with knowledge, and capacitate them to become active participants in the market’s supply chain. Engagements have also been had with farmer body such as PotatoSA and industry regulators such as APAC and National Agriculture Marketing Council (NAMC).
To ensure local produce reaches export markets, engagements are being had with industry stakeholders such as DLARD, PPECB, and Prokon to streamline processes that will see MIF become a staging base for export of produce through the Maputo Corridor
and Harbour.
Farmer Support Programme
Noting the importance of access to affordable funds and challenges faced by new era farmers on matters pertaining capital, DARDLEA has developed a blended finance scheme to ensure farmers in the province, particularly those from historically disadvantaged background, are not excluded from meaningful agricultural value chains due to lack of infrastructure support, extension services, and access to production finance. Aptly called Mpumalanga Agro Fund, the scheme is established to become a bridge for new era farmers to commercialise and run sustainable enterprises. To date, pledges and commitments up to R500 million have been received from the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Land Bank with agreements already signed. The plan is to grow the scheme into a R1 billion fund to ensure a wider reach. The scheme will be launched as soon as all governance issues are finalised.
Further, a market readiness programme is being developed in collaboration with the Land Bank to prepare new era farmers to successfully enter and utilise the MIF trade platform to sell their produce. The programme will include provision of training, mentorship, and assistance for activities such as preparing application for funding and business development.
Impact
As the country’s first FoodMarket, the MIF would play a significant role in supporting economic activity in the province and creating jobs across the supply chain.
- Economic Activity – The MIF operation would add R4.8 billion+ to the province’s
economy. - Job opportunities – The MIF business would create about 10 300 jobs across the
supply chain. - Multiplier Effect – For every single job created, about three (3) more people would be
impacted, thus meaning more individuals, about 30 900 and families would benefit from
the job creation and through increased economic activity.
