​Lerato Mailoane 
The Gauteng Provincial Government together with the West Rand Business Community have announced a bold plan to revitalise the West Rand Agro-processing hub with a cash injection of R46 billion.
The project aims to create a one-stop shop, providing technical assistance and farmer support for agro-production, processing, logistics, marketing and training within the West Rand District Municipality. Government believes that the initiative will contribute to developing 300 000 small holder farmers and 145 000 jobs in Agro-processing. 
According to Gauteng Premier, David Makhura the West Rand has a very dynamic urban agricultural sector that has very dynamic products that come from horticulture and the agri-food sector is also very resilient in the area.
The Premier met with the West Rand business community on Tuesday, 11 May 2021 to discuss ways government can assist businesses in the area to unblock the business potential of the area.
He said the bold initiative would give life to a new mega park which will house a logistics hub, and a bus manufacturing plant. Key focus will also be on eco-tourism, the Lanseria Smart City, renewable energy and using the land for small scale and medium scale farmers.
"We want to build new sectors of the economy in the Westrand.  We want to make the Westrand a hub for renewable energy, a hub of agri logistics, business, and processing.​
He  urged businesses to get on board with the vision of government to create an agro processing economic zone in the area.
"We must build the agri-food sector, the advantage of urban agriculture is that the market is much closer to the people  w and people can get fresh produce at reduced prices because the produce does not have to travel far," he added.
The Premier said government plans to make it easier for small and medium scale farmers to enter the sector. 
He committed to working with business to unblock red tape and provide the necessary logistics to support the project.​​​