The Mpumalanga Premier is looking at partnering with UMP in relation to funding students studying agricultural and mining related courses. Mtsweni shared the outcomes of her meeting with the university leadership, during her State of the Province Address (SOPA).
She said: “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economic system both in terms of employment generation as well as provincial and national gross domestic income contribution. Mpumalanga remains a largely rural province, and our people are still mainly dependent on agriculture for self-sustenance.”
AGRICULTURE
Mtsweni explained that the establishment of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) remains a critical means to stimulate increased agricultural production for both the domestic and export markets.
The province will identify, isolate and address the shortcomings that have plagued the International Fresh Produce Market.
Before the end of this financial year, the province will commence with the first phase of the top infrastructure for the Fresh Produce Market, which will be put into operation in the next financial year. This will be done in a way that promotes economic development, agricultural production and food security.
The province will continue to work with established agribusinesses to ensure that the sector continues to increase its contribution to export earnings and investigate how emerging black farmers can be assisted to meaningfully enter this business on a sustainable basis. This it will do by speeding up the resolution of all outstanding land restitution claims and conduct an audit on all allocated farms, to identify those that are unused. These farms can be reassessed with the intention to make them productive for food security, job creation and for attracting direct foreign investment.
“In collaboration with the University of Mpumalanga, we intend to use some of the farms for research purposes by University of Mpumalanga postgraduate students. We will change the structure of some of our agricultural programmes so that we maximize their potential.” There will be an increase in agricultural production in crops, fruits, vegetables and animal production through the provision of production inputs, technical advice, training and linkage to the readily available markets.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Consultation with relevant stakeholders are currently underway on the development of a Provincial Skills Development Master Plan that will ensure transformation of the skills set to industry/economic needs. Through the University of Mpumalanga, there will be a development of targeted training programmes in Agriculture and ICT, ensuring access to land and market, and incubator hubs for business operations.
The provincial government will establish a 4IR Commission that will consist of both private and public sector which will ensure development, implementation and monitoring of an integrated 4IR and e-learning strategy.
“Working closely with the University of Mpumalanga, we will harness our investment in agricultural research, new smart technologies and the training of farmers to enhance the sector’s market share in global trade,” said the Premier.
Lastly, the Mpumalanga province will establish a special Premiers Bursary Scheme for PhD studies within the next 100 days. “We will enroll 10 students per year, more biased towards young women and those under the age of 30 years.”