Eastern Cape Unveils Grain Commercialisation Program Amid Mixed Harvest Results
The Eastern Cape government in South Africa is launching a R80 million (US$4.5 million) grain commercialization program to support emerging farmers.
The Grain Commercialisation Chapter is part of the Agriculture Commercialisation Programme, which aims to increase production and secure long-term markets for grain and oilseed producers.
Funding will be allocated across 24,000 hectares in the province, with a focus on helping farmers grow more grain crops and create jobs.
The program comes as maize harvesting continues across South Africa, with uneven yields reported between regions. According to Grain SA's head of applied economics and member services, Corné Louw, 'The harvests are coming in more slowly this year because many farmers had to wait for their maize to dry out after a lot of rain fell over parts of the summer rainfall area.'