In a bid to develop quality and quantity of milk production by black dairy farmers, Nestlé has joined forces with the Independent Development Trust (IDT), the company said on Thursday.
The two-year partnership will involve 40 dairy farmers in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district, which includes Harrismith and other areas in the Free State, said Nestlé’s Theo Mxakwe.
”The project, named the Nestlé Emerging Farmer Initiative, will see collaboration on a range of initiatives including attempts to access infrastructure such as electricity, water and roads,” he said.
”Steps to provide technical resources and enterprise development skills would also be taken.”
Thembi Mwedamutswu, chief executive of the IDT, said the partnership would benefit the ”second economy”.
”We are excited at the potential this project presents for a meaningful public-private partnership,” she said.
”The legacy of apartheid planning poses very serious challenges to the farmers and we aim to address that in a way which ensures sustainable development.”
Mwedamutswu said the move was in line with the government’s agricultural sector plan.
”It is significant that Nestlé has already committed substantial resources to developing the farmers’ ability to farm productively.”
She said Nestlé has provided basic infrastructure and skills, and created access of farmers to markets.
”We now need to mobilise all stakeholders to ensure we service the farmers’ infrastructure and resource needs, and to entrench the principle of people-centeredness in development.”
Nestlé managing director Yves Manghardt said the company had consulted the government and other stakeholders on the initiative, and had committed itself to a ”meaningful partnership”.
”The IDT is the ideal partner, they have 16 years’ experience in development and an established track record in supporting clients and partners,” he said.
The key focus of the IDT is to enable poor communities to have access to resources. – Sapa