Winterveldt Citrus Project

The land in this area had been previously under-utilised and Dr Sam Motseuenyane (a local resident, who is also part of the Department of Agriculture and who holds a degree in agriculture), in consultation with other officials from the National Department of Agriculture, and a selected group of plot-owners, set about developing a new agricultural project. Together the community then formed the Winterveldt United Farmers Association (WUFA). This community is unique in that black farmers have owned the farming land for many generations, even during apartheid. They have therefore been able to farm the land without having to buy the land or pay for leases. The aim of the project is to plant 100 000 orange trees in the next few years on the land available and distribute these trees to approximately 200 plot-owners (mainly on 10-morgen plot areas). Particular emphasis was placed on educating and training local residents in the cultivation of these plots in order to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The aim was to solicit donations from the private sector to buy and plant the trees. The medium-to-long-term goals include establishing a small processing and packaging plant for the citrus products, fencing the areas around the plots, establishing the viability of vegetable growing or stock farming, and building a warehouse that is accessible to the public. The project has been run in partnership with the North West provincial government that provided access to its extension offices and also contributed R1.3million towards the programme, the Tshwane municipality that provided technical support such as an advisor and has also contributed about R1million. Luthuli Associates, involved in assessing the housing needs of farmers and farm labourers, were involved and the Odi Water Board. There have also been a number of financial contributions from private and corporate funders, including Pick ‘n Pay, Amka, and the Muslim Business community in Pretoria. Pick ‘n Pay specifically have funded 3 boreholes and have offered to pay to train 24 farmers in hydroponics vegetable cultivation.

Innovation

This project has sought to involve a community in helping themselves by providing employment in commercial farming. These farmers have also been assisted in coming to terms with effective farming techniques and the business skills required to maintain a farm.

Effectiveness

So far a total of 20 000 orange trees have been planted involving approximately 112 farmers and their families. Pick ‘n Pay has offered to purchase all produce from the hydroponics vegetable cultivation. The farmers involved have demonstrated effective farming management with only two examples of neglect out of the 112 farmers involved.

Poverty Impact

From calculations based on the assumed effective maintenance of these farms, it is estimated that 1 plot-owner can earn a gross income of between R10 000 and R15 000 for 100 to 200 trees. The expenses factored into net income would not however include the cost of trees or buying/leasing the land. Expenses would include labour, orchard maintenance (e.g. fertilisers and pesticides) and transport of the product. The net income would need to be calculated in order to determine the real effect on the farming families involved.

Sustainability

The project seems to be on track in terms of the goals it has set out with the planting of 20 000 more trees due to commence in September. Farmers have taken on their responsibilities and there seems to be a good level of production. The sources of future funding will have to be investigated.

Replication

Given the need for black farmers, this project is a good example of entrepreneurial success of black farming and adequate support in place to facilitate this. This project seems to be performing an effective service and with similar community and sponsor buy-in, it might be able to be replicated in areas involved in land restitution. Sustainability must however be more thoroughly evaluated before replication can take place.

Partnerships

•    National Department of Agriculture
•    Provincial Department of Agriculture
•    Tshwane Municipality
•    Cecil, less
•    Luthuli Associates
•    Odi Water Board