The Mpumalanga provincial government has pumped more than R13.2 billion into the roll out of public infrastructure in the last four years according to Premier David Mabuza.

Delivering his State of the Province Address on Friday, the premier said the capital investment has supported the coal, forestry, agriculture and tourism industries.

“Our capital investment in tourism infrastructure, through upgrading of nature reserves and upgrading of tourism routes, has resulted in increased tourism spend. This has grown to R4.6 billion for foreign tourists and R1.8 billion for domestic tourists,” Premier Mabuza said.

Revitalising the agriculture sector

Last year, the province introduced the Government School Nutrition Programme which was aimed at revitalising the agriculture sector.

“This programme has created a market platform for our small and emerging farmers to supply fresh produce directly to government institutions such as schools and hospitals.

As of 1 June 2018, the provincial government will expand this programme to include the procurement and supply of both dry products and fresh produce.

The province has also increased the participation of youth in agriculture through the government’s flagship Fortune 40 Incubator Programme.

The province has commenced with the development of a further 14 farms. Eleven projects are already in production and they are supplying the Government Nutrition Programme.

Fresh produce market construction update

According to the premier the construction of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market is also gaining traction.

“Since inception, we have invested approximately R500 million into this project. We have thus far implemented bulk services infrastructure, creating a total of 800 jobs during this construction phase. This investment will be further supported by three agri-hubs located in Dr JS Moroka, Mkhuhlu and Mkhondo,” the Premier said.

Phase one of the Dr. JS Moroka Agri-hub is complete and the construction of the other two has begun. Construction of the remaining two agri-hubs will be completed this year.

“By late 2019, our province will boast a world-class fresh produce market facility that will enable Mpumalanga farmers, particularly the small-scale farmers, to trade their fresh produce to local and international markets,” Premier Mabuza said.