President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the importance of accessible financing in transforming South Africa’s agricultural sector during his visit to Redlands Dairy Farm in Stutterheim, Amahlathi Local Municipality, yesterday.

The Presidential visit provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS), implemented by Land Bank in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, in supporting black-owned and youth-owned commercial farming enterprises.

Redlands Dairy Farm, a 357-hectare commercial dairy operation established in 2023, is owned by agricultural entrepreneur Mr Tshilidzi Matshidzula. The farm has grown rapidly and currently milks approximately 550 cows through a modern 30-point swing-over milking parlour.

During the visit, President Ramaphosa engaged with Matshidzula and senior Land Bank officials on the farm’s operations, the impact of financial support and its contribution to employment, food security and rural economic development.

The farm forms part of Matshidzula’s broader agricultural interests, which collectively employ more than 70 permanent workers, approximately 70% of whom are young people. His enterprises also provide practical training and mentorship to agricultural students and support emerging farmers through farmer development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The visit demonstrated how targeted public-sector financial interventions can help unlock the potential of black commercial farmers and facilitate sustainable participation in the agricultural economy.

Through its partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Bank provides a range of funding instruments aimed at supporting commercial and emerging farmers, including the Blended Finance Scheme, Agri-BEE Fund and Agro-Energy Fund.

During the previous financial year, Land Bank disbursed more than R1.7 billion in funding, including approximately R700 million through the Blended Finance Scheme.

The visit forms part of government’s efforts to advance agricultural transformation, create employment, strengthen rural economies and contribute to food security by enabling greater participation in the commercial agricultural sector.