Mbombela - Six additional municipalities in Mpumalanga will employ government's Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP), starting from next month.
This was announced during Premier David Mabuza's State of the Province Address at the Provincial Government Complex in Mbombela on Friday.
"The provincial government promised to run this pilot project for a period of two years, after which it will be rolled out to other parts of the province. March this year marks the end of the two-year period," said Mabuza.
The pilot project was rolled out in the Mkhondo municipality in Piet Retief in 2009.
Mabuza said the programme would be rolled out in the Nkomazi, Chief Albert Luthuli, Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Hani local municipalities.
The CRDP programme focuses on the provision of water, electricity, housing, agrarian projects and job creation, among others.
Mabuza said the pilot project did not perform as expected, but had provided the provincial government with a new approach.
"Experience has taught us that for the programme to have a huge impact on the lives of the people, we need to improve in proper planning, community mobilisation, effective institutional arrangements and strong monitoring and evaluation systems," he said.
Mabuza said his government would improve the provision of targeted technical and financial support as well as fostering an integrated approach by all role players to enable the programme to be a success.
"As we roll out this project, job creation will be at the centre of our activities. We will upscale the Masibuyele Emasimini [agriculture] programme and increase the number of extension officers to support this programme," he said.
The premier said the provincial agriculture department would also link students at the Lowveld College of Agriculture with the programme as part of the support, both at the level of practical studies and after they have completed their diplomas.
He said skills development within the agricultural sector remained a problem that needed urgent attention.
"To fast track the issue of skills development within the agricultural sector, we are currently upgrading the Marapyane College to serve as a satellite of the [Lowveld College of Agriculture]," said Mabuza.
