Macpherson highlights benefits of improving rural road infrastructure

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said improving rural road infrastructure will not only benefit farmers but also support job creation and boost the economy.

The minister made the comments after officiating the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Free State government, AgriSA, and Agbiz.

The collaboration aims to revitalise critical agricultural routes in the Free State.

The initiative, based on freight flow modelling and logistics data, aims to reduce transport costs, improve food security, and enhance efficiency within the agricultural sector.

Macpherson said the partnership will also direct public resources to projects with the highest economic impact.

"Partnerships are important, and working with the agricultural community is crucial not just for me personally, but for my department. We want to ensure farmers get the maximum support from government, because they don’t just feed our country, they employ hundreds of thousands of people across the value chain."

The Free State, a key agricultural hub, will serve as the pilot region for the project, which aims to reduce logistical challenges and boost economic growth in the sector.