Mpumalanga Business 2021-22
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OVERVIEW<br />
Agriculture and agro-processing<br />
Barberton has a new and unusual blueberry farm.<br />
Credit: Primocane Capital<br />
Mining company Pan African Resources is getting into<br />
the blueberry business in an effort to help uplift the<br />
community in which it operates near Barberton. The<br />
15ha farm (pictured) has created 80 jobs with a further<br />
400 seasonal jobs expected for a five-month period. In the second<br />
phase of the project, which is being run by Primocane Capital,<br />
about 1 000 jobs are expected. The first harvest is expected<br />
in 20<strong>22</strong>. According to a report in <strong>Business</strong> Times, the miner’s<br />
investment into the first phase has so far amounted to R40-million.<br />
A provincial government assistance programme called<br />
Phezukomkhono Mlimi is providing mechanisation and input<br />
support to small-scale and new farmers. Those who receive help<br />
are also offered training courses offered by the AgriSETA.<br />
An agro-processing facility is planned for the area near the Kruger<br />
<strong>Mpumalanga</strong> International Airport (KMIA) and private investors are<br />
being approached. Progress has been made in the construction of<br />
the <strong>Mpumalanga</strong> International Fresh Produce Market and the main<br />
market is expected to be ready in the course of <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
With several coal mines reaching the end of their lives, steps are<br />
being taken to convert the land to useful agricultural land. Safety and<br />
health concerns will have to be addressed, but there is potential to<br />
improve food security for poorer families in the province.<br />
The Fortune 40 programme has a specific focus on developing<br />
young entrepreneurs in farming. Twelve of the Fortune 40 farms have<br />
been linked to retailers such as Spar, Shoprite and Boxer and with<br />
wholesalers and agro-hubs.<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
Subsistence farmers are<br />
getting assistance.<br />
The goal is to have an agrohub<br />
in each of the province’s<br />
three districts. Small-scale farmers<br />
and co-operatives are being<br />
given a chance to connect to<br />
the formal economy via the hubs<br />
which will also provide advice<br />
and equipment. The Mkhuhlu<br />
agro-hub in Bushbuckridge,<br />
which forms part of the<br />
Provincial Government Nutrition<br />
Programme, is operational. The<br />
Mkhondo agro-hub in Gert<br />
Sibande District is completed and<br />
partially operational. A feasibility<br />
study is underway relating to the<br />
establishment of a hub in the<br />
Nkomazi Municipality. A budget<br />
of R15-million has been agreed for<br />
the first phase and the creation of<br />
a pack-house. Other interventions<br />
MPUMALANGA BUSINESS <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>22</strong><br />
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