President Ramaphosa will visit the Redlands Dairy Farm in Stutterheim, in the Eastern Cape, on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The visit will provide the President with an opportunity to review the operations of the Land Bank-supported agricultural enterprise. The Presidency confirmed the visit in a statement, highlighting the significance of the farm as a black-owned and youth-owned commercial farming enterprise.
The Redlands Dairy Farm, located in the Amahlathi Local Municipality, Amathole District, has benefited from funding support through the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS), implemented by Land Bank in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. This scheme aims to support commercial and emerging farmers, and the visit will provide the President with first-hand exposure to its developmental impact.
The visit will enable the President to engage with the beneficiary farmer and assess the farm's contribution to inclusive agricultural development, job creation, and rural economic growth. Land Bank administers and manages a range of funding instruments aimed at supporting commercial and emerging farmers, including the Blended Finance Scheme, Agri-BEE Fund, and Agro-Energy Fund.
In the previous financial year, the Land Bank disbursed more than R1.7 billion in funding, including approximately R700 million through the Blended Finance Scheme. This funding supports commercial and emerging farmers, demonstrating the significant role Land Bank plays in promoting agricultural development and economic growth.
The President's programme will include engagements focused on the operations of Redlands Dairy Farm, the impact of Land Bank's funding support, and the contribution of the agricultural enterprise to job creation, rural development, and inclusive participation in the commercial agricultural sector. These discussions will highlight the importance of collaborative efforts between government and financial institutions in supporting emerging farmers.
The Redlands Dairy Farm is a notable example of a successful black-owned and youth-owned commercial farming enterprise. By supporting such initiatives, the government aims to promote transformation in the agricultural sector and create opportunities for young people and historically disadvantaged communities to participate in the economy.
The visit by President Ramaphosa to the Redlands Dairy Farm demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting agricultural development and promoting economic growth in rural areas. The President's engagement with the beneficiary farmer and assessment of the farm's impact will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of Land Bank's funding schemes and inform future policy decisions.
Key points
- President Ramaphosa will visit the Redlands Dairy Farm on October 8, 2026, to review the operations of the Land Bank-supported agricultural enterprise.
- The Redlands Dairy Farm has benefited from funding support through the Blended Finance Scheme, implemented by Land Bank in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
- In the previous financial year, the Land Bank disbursed more than R1.7 billion in funding, including approximately R700 million through the Blended Finance Scheme.
