44 Agri-parks to be rolled out in SA amid drought

The agriculture industry has been one of the sectors hardest hit by the dry weather conditions.

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform says it will roll out Agri-parks to revitalise the agriculture industry that has taken a knock due to the drought.

As parts of the country battle the worst drought in 23 years, the agriculture industry has been one of the sectors hardest hit by the dry weather conditions.

Recent rains have not done much to address the situation.

Minister Gugile Nkwinti met with farmers today and says about 1,000 Agri-parks will be rolled out in 44 districts across the country to transform the agriculture industry and create employment.

Nkwinti says his ministry has established a nine point plan to try achieve a healthier agricultural sector which will also focus on transforming the rural economy.

"Revitalisation of agriculture and the agro-processing value food chain as one of the nine point plan, so that is one aspect of the nine that we are dealing with."