Standard Bank – Agribusiness Transformation Programme
The University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the Free State Department: Agriculture and Rural Development and Standard Bank has established an “Agribusiness Transformation Programme” which leverages existing expertise, skills and infrastructure to develop black commercial farmers and black-owned sustainable agribusinesses in the Free State.
Agriculture is of fundamental importance, not only in terms of food security, but also for entire economies, especially developing economies in developing countries. A productive and well-functioning agri-business sector advances food security and produce agricultural products, which are a major source of national income.
Various UFS counterparts play a role in the deliverables of the project:
The purpose of the “Agribusiness Transformation Programme” is to develop black commercial farmers and black owned agribusinesses to contribute to the transformation and economic viability of the agricultural sector in the Free State, to stimulate job creation and improve food security.
The programme on the enterprise development model includes the provision of training and access to markets by leveraging existing expertise, skills and infrastructure.
The UFS, Free State Department: Agriculture and Rural Development and Standard Bank invite partners in the development of black commercial farmers and black owned agribusinesses to contribute to the transformation and economic viability of the agricultural sector in the Free State, through job creation and improvement of food security. In the process, the partnership will develop a model replicable in the rest of South African and Africa.
For more information regarding the research programme, please contact Dr JW Swanepoel at +27 51 401 9665.