By Maile Matsimela

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has announced an initiative to commercialise 100 PLAS (Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy) and land reform farms through district aggregation of suitable commodities.

This programme, running from 2025 to 2030, aligns with the 7th Administration’s prioritisation of agriculture as a growth frontier to stimulate economic development, promote inclusivity, create employment opportunities and enhance food security through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP).

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, the commercialisation programme will ensure that black farmers are not confined to subsistence and primary producer levels but rather drive the development of food products for both domestic and international markets. The initiative represents a significant opportunity for land reform beneficiaries to scale their operations and participate more meaningfully in the agricultural value chain.

Farmers participating in the programme will undergo compulsory training in several critical areas, including agri-business management, business compliance, financial record-keeping, and market access strategies.

Additionally, participants will be required to adopt modern agricultural technology and aggregate their produce to increase processing capabilities for locally produced food and feed, targeting both local and international markets.

Eligibility criteria

The programme is open to South African citizens farming in the Eastern Cape, farmers operating on land acquired through land reform programmes (PLAS/SLAG/LRAD), previously disadvantaged individuals who acquired their own farms and require government support, land reform farmers who have received their title deeds through the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, and farms registered on the Producer/Farmer Register database.

Additional requirements include full-time farming operations with willingness to enter into partnerships/joint ventures, registration of the farm as a business entity, disclosure of all government support previously provided to the farm (Re-Cap, CASP, Ilima Letsema, Blended Finance, etc.), a valid water licenses, environmental authorisations and other regulatory requirements where applicable.

Application process

Interested farmers must submit the following documents to their nearest Eastern Cape Agriculture office:

Proof of land ownership or legitimate land use rights
Comprehensive farm business plan covering all commodities produced on the farm
Copies of identity documents for all applicants/beneficiaries
Business registration documentation
Relevant regulatory authorisations

The deadline for applications has been extended to 30 June 2025.

This initiative forms part of the Eastern Cape’s broader strategy for inclusive economic growth through agricultural development and represents a significant opportunity for land reform beneficiaries to transition into commercial farming operations.

For more information, farmers are urged to contact their nearest Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture office. Call 080 020 3025 or WhatsApp 078 343 1625.