The Eastern Cape provincial government is on a massive job creation drive, by ensuring that agricultural projects are supported to become economically viable through creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
This was said by Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, who joined the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, during a pineapple harvest at Tarfield farm in Ngqushwa, where they also handed over two tractors to pineapple farmers last week.
“We want to have a massive job creation, and ensure that we are not creating seasonal jobs but full-time jobs through value addition. The government is creating a conducive environment for economic growth; hence we are making opportunities available for businesses to invest. This pineapple production programme is doing exactly that,’’ said Mabuyane.
DRDAR has invested about R2,2 million since the 2019/20 financial year for fencing, production inputs, a tractor and fuel. The investment made by the department has translated to 69 temporary jobs, while a further 10 are employed on a permanent basis.
Mabuyane said DRDAR had facilitated a market for the farmers as the harvest from these farms is sold to Summerpride Foods through an off–take agreement that ensures that the farmers have an established market.
In their first harvest, the farm recorded a yield of 1 500 tons while in 2020 they harvested 2 300 tons. In this year’s harvest, they are hoping for a yield of 3 000 tons.
“This is rural development at its best and I am excited to see the progress we are making in reviving programmes that were successful during the previous government.
“We need to attract investors to projects such as these. I am happy about the commitment and dedication shown by the pineapple farmers; hence we need to multiply investment for these projects .
He said government has invested about R20 million to at least six pineapple farms in Peddie, where 182 hectares of land are currently under production. “Working together with our partners, we will increase hectarage in pursuit of economic growth.
“The baseline of total land under production for pineapples in the province is 7 800ha. Through the implementation of the Agriculture for Growth and Employment Programme, we will increase the land under production to 10 300ha.
“This will lead to an increase in the baseline for jobs in pineapple production from 8 000 to 10 609 and to an economic growth baseline of R1,45 billion,” Mabuyane added.
Founding member and supervisor at Tarfield farm, Mlungiseleli Bala, said they were “reaping good fruits” from the investment in the pineapple industry compared to when they used to plough maize.
“The pineapple is drought-resistant, and we are now harvesting good yields despite the dry conditions. This development has changed people’s lives through job creation and ownership of the business,” Bala said.
Summerpride fruit manager, Pierre Tilnely, said they were exporting the pineapples from the Ngqushwa farms to South America, Russia and Europe and were excited about the investment in the area, as it guaranteed sustainability.
