Fruit farmers' BEE plan kicks off in Ceres

The initial plan is to establish 600 hectares of fruit trees in the Western Cape over the next five years.

The Western Cape Agriculture Department contributed R1,5-million to the first 52ha to be established this year.

“It is estimated that 400 000 tons of fruit worth R1,38-billion will be produced during the orchard's productive life-span.

About 700 permanent new on-farm jobs will be created by this initiative while a similar number of workers will benefit from seasonal work and in packing and cold storage facilities,” the department said on Tuesday.

Agriculture media spokesman Wouter Kriel said the plan was to ultimately roll the project out to include 1 000ha countrywide, including to farms in the Langkloof in the Southern Cape where there are a number of fruit producers.

The plan will see new farmers providing land and labour while the Deciduous Fruit Producers' Trust (DFPT) will provide quality planting material, administration services and mentoring.

The Agriculture Department will match the trust rand for rand in terms of financial assistance and will help with soil preparation and irrigation infrastructure.

Agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg challenged other industries to follow the example of the DFPT regarding transformation and BEE.

“We need food security as well as transformation in South Africa.

“We cannot afford the one to exclude the other, and this project shows that it is possible to succeed with both objectives simultaneously.”

DFPT chief executive Anton Rabe said the project was in uncharted waters but that the trust was committed to success.

Source: The Herald

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