NEWS
UPDATE
ON STATE LAND RELEASE
The Minister of Agriculture , Land Reform and Rural Development , Thoko Didiza , announced the procedures to be followed when applying for state land .
Kefiloe Manthata Senwes Journalist
She also said that women and
people with disabilities would be prioritised when allocating 896 farms measuring 700 000 hectares of underutilised or vacant state land , which will be advertised .
The Minister added that since the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his February 2020 State of the Nation address , the department has released 135 117 hectares of land to 275 farmers .
The advertisement notices were in the local , district and provincial newspapers , websites and local radio stations . Application forms are available at the district offices and provincial offices of the Departments of Agriculture , Land Reform and Rural Development as well at Municipal District offices . There will be a selection and adjudication process after the closing date for applications , which is yet to be announced . After due process has been followed , land will be allocated to the successful applicants . Unsuccessful applicants will have an opportunity to register their appeals to the Land Allocation Appeals Committee .
Beneficiaries who have been allocated land will have to undergo a compulsory training programme upon signing their lease agreements . The training will include entry-level training on the commodity of their choice , basic record keeping and basic financial management and enterprise development .
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SENWES SCENARIO | SOMER � SUMMER 2020