ISPAAD to cover commercial farmers soon

Though the programme covers all farmers, it allows a farmer to cultivate only five hectares for free, provides free fertilizers for five hectares and seed for the first 16 hectares free, while a commercial farmer might want to cultivate at least 20 hectares, buy farm machinery and need other resources like harvesters.

Addressing farmers during an official visit by the Vice Minister of Agriculture from China, Niu Dun in Sedibeng Farms over the weekend, De Graaf promised commercial farmers his support, saying government is reviewing the programme to see how best they can assist "committed commercial farmers" who have the potential to feed the country.  Also, he promised to avail land to them.