Emerging cane farmers benefit as multi-million rand PPP project boosts sugar industry
By Vernon Mchunu
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DURBAN - A PROJECT to develop small scale farmers has given a lifeline to sugar cane farmers in the South Coast.
About 119 emerging local contractors in the farming industry are set to benefit from the development project valued at R126 million.
Illovo Sugar injected R63 million and this is complemented by an equivalent amount from the National Treasury’s Job Fund.
For small-scale grower Nomanesi Ngcobo, the project was a dream coming true, with a number of growers desperate for a lifeline.
“Sugar cane farming is our bread and butter, allowing us to pay for children’s education, among other things,” Ngcobo said.