Individuals, businesses, farmers can  apply for agro-processing support which involves support with advice, skills and training for agro-processing, certification, equipment and infrastructure for value adding and transformation of products from agriculture industries

What is agro-processing?

According to FAO (1997), "Agro-processing industry is a subset of manufacturing that processes raw materials and intermediate products derived from the agricultural sector. Agro-processing thus means transforming products that originate from agriculture, forestry and fisheries." The Standard Industrial Classification also categorises the following eleven divisions under the agro-processing industry: food, beverages, paper and paper products, wood and wood products, textiles, wearing apparel, furniture, tobacco, rubber products, footwear and leather and leather products.

​The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD)has a programme to support agro-processing SMMEs and smallholder farmers who wants to branch into agroprocessing as value adding.  Agro-processing is a manufacturing sub-division that processes raw materials and intermediate products derived from primary production and cultivation in the agricultural sector.

Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) supports agro-processing agricultural production methods because they have great potential to create socio-economic benefits for emerging small-scale farmers which include food security, job creation and entrepreneurial skills development.

What support is provided

How to apply

• Application opens in October and closes at the end of November
• The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development considers all applications between December and January of each financial year after which the outcome will be communicated to all applicants concerning whether their applications were successful or not.
• A call for applications is made in time through various communication channels (before the application period start and during the application period) .
• Application forms will also be made available in all Regional Offices and Head Office specified below.
• Potential applicants are identified by the Extension Officers of Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) during site visits in all regions of the province.  
• Extension officers provides information to all potential applicants about the agro-processing business opportunities provided by GDARD as well as encouraging them to apply.
• They provide them with application forms as well as helping them to complete them accurately.
• Those that are interested but cannot be reached by the Extention Offficers can obtain application forms from either the Head Office or nearest Regional Officers where they can get additional information and assistance in the completion of forms.

Who can Apply

• SMMEs that are in agroprocessing
• Farmers who are agroprocessing
• Individuals who wants to add-value to their products and process them
  

Requirements for application 

For the application to be considered, the business must have been registered.

Application forms

Application forms can be obtained and submitted to the following offices: when the application is open

Where to Apply 

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Head Office

56 Eloff street, Umnotho House
(011) 240 2500

Vredehuis Regional Office

590 Madiba Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

(012) 316 1600

Bronkhorstspruit Regional Office

5 Market Street, Bronkhorstspruit

(013) 932 9160/61

Randfontein (Gauteng West) Regional Office

7 Main Reef Road, cnr Maugham Street, Randfontein                  

(011) 411 4300

Enquiries:

Email: agriculturalqueries@gauteng.gov.za