Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, MP, recently
launched the ?rst phase of the Organic Farmer/Retailer
Programme (OFRP) at Pick ‘n Pay in Bryanston, North of
Johannesburg.
The programme is a joint venture between the dti, Pick n
Pay, Spar and Shoprite, and seeks to address supply side
failures by assisting smallholder farmers to meet the
requirements of formal retailers. Pick n Pay is the ?rst
retailer to agree to dedicate shelf space to organic produce
in 50 stores countrywide.
The dti and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries (DAFF) will provide technical assistance to
smallholder farmers to ensure improved understanding of
retailers’ procurement processes, product speci?cations
and demand to smooth the supply of organic produce.
The programme also seeks to encourage retailers and
consumers to demand larger quantities and varieties of
organic produce. This is necessary as many consumers
believe such produce is an expensive alternative to
conventional farm produce. The retailers in the OFRP have
agreed to make the organic produce available at prices
competitive with those of the conventionally farmed
produce.
The launch was preceded by a workshop in Bryanston,
Johannesburg, where the dti addressed representatives
from the food-processing sector.
Minister Davies announced during the workshop that over
the past three years the dti had funded the food-processing
sector to the value of R736 million in incentives. He said the
dti had supported the food-processing sector through in
vestment initiatives and cooperative schemes.
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The Enterprice Investment Programme (EIP) incentive
disbursed R636 million, facilitating investments of R3,7
billion in the food-processing sector and contributing to the
retention of 14 000 jobs while creating 7 000 new jobs, said
Minister Davies.
The Chief Executive Of?cer of Proudly South African (PSA),
Advocate Leslie Sedibe, noted the importance of
supporting the 75% procurement of local products. He said
this would lead to the creation of ?ve million jobs, as
companies would be sustained and employment created.
Sedibe said PSA would work hard in implementing the IPAP
accord: “We wil do this by vigorously educating our people
about buying locally and we will also develop a database for
the South African suppliers, which will make it easier for
Government to produce South African products, including
the canned fruits and vegetables from them.”
The purpose of the workshop was for the dti and industry to
come together to ?nd solutions to impediments to
accelerated growth in the sector. Issues raised by industry
representatives fo the dti to take into account included fair
practices, environmental standards, job security, labelling
schemes, and monitoring and evaluation.
Pick n Pay
DTI
Nopi Program
Organic
Farm
Products
CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW