The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) has invested R20 million in the Silver Tree cannabis project, yet there is nothing to show for it.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) uncovered this at the Silver Tree cannabis farm in Mogale City while conducting an oversight inspection. No farmers were receiving cannabis farming training.
The DA demands answers on what happened to the money meant to empower farmers.
The Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, said in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) that the Silvertree Tree cannabis project is meant to train 200 farmers.
This project was funded through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed for the 2023/2024 financial year.
This project that meant to empower farmers in cannabis farming had the potential to grow the economy and create jobs in the agriculture sector. This fastest globally growing industry will contribute to the health and textile sector.
The DA will table follow-up questions to MEC Ramokgopa to ascertain what happened to the money and the project.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government would immediately do an audit of all agriculture projects in the province that receive funding through the CASP. Where it is found that they do not adhere to the terms of the MOA, remedial action will be taken.