North West Business 2023-24

for constructing abattoirs and other relevant infrastructure would work.
The Provincial Government is working with the Independent
Development Trust on four agricultural projects, namely, Springbokpan
Grain Silos, Kgora Farmer Training Centre and the Selame Poultry and
Melton Research Farm.
The dry western region of the province is home to large beef-cattle
herds, and this is where the growing game-ranching and hunting
industry has its base. The eastern and north-eastern parts of the province
receive relatively good rainfall and are suitable for the cultivation of crops.
The North West has approximately 1.6-million beef cattle,
representing 12% of South Africa’s herd. Major breeds include Simmental,
Brahman, Bonsmara and Simbra, a cross between the Brahman and
Simmental breeds.
The North West is sometimes called “The Texas of South Africa”
because of its superb cattle herds but the province also produces good
crops of onions and other vegetables. Proximity to the large urban
concentrations of Pretoria and Johannesburg are advantages for the
horticulture subsector.
Kalahari Red and Boerbok goats are found in large numbers in the
dry west. The number of goats for the province is estimated at 701 587
which is 12% of South Africa’s total. There are estimated to be 318 843
pigs, which is 20% of South Africa’s total drove. For those who know
the North West as a water-scarce region, it may be surprising to learn
that a priority in 2021 has been the repair of earthen dams and fences
damaged by flooding.
Nearly two-million hectares is planted with summer cereals,
with about 50 000ha given over to winter cereals. The North West
produces about 20% of South Africa’s maize and about 15% of
its wheat. The central and southern sections of the province are
dominated by maize and wheat farming. When it comes to sunflower
seed, the North West is responsible for 33% of South Africa’s stock,
and 23% of the nation’s groundnuts. The North West supplies 5.4% of
South Africa’s potatoes, but parts of the Kalahari are ideally suited to
the cultivation of seed potatoes.
Companies
Senwes has a strong grain division and it controls 68 silos. Its
headquarters are in Klerksdorp and it has increased its stake in KLK so
that it now controls 57.44% of the company most strongly associated
A Senior and Grand Champion cow
owned by KMF Farm Holdings.
with the Northern Cape. Suidwes
is based south of Klerksdorp in
Leeudoringstad. More than 90%
of the shares in the company
are held by farmers. Grain
handling is the main business
and there are divisions for retail
(17 outlets and one animal-feed
depot), mechanisation, finance
and research and agricultural
economics (Terratek).
Brits is the location of the
headquarters of the MGK Group.
The company runs five divisions
and a plant that makes full-fat
soy, a component in animal feed.
NWK is another company with
manufacturing capacity. The
Lichtenburg-based enterprise
makes liquid fertiliser (up to 10
tons per month), animal feed
(Opti Feeds), processes sunflower
seeds (Epko), and runs three grain
mills. Another subsidiary, Opti
Chicks, has a capacity of 600 000
chicks per week.
NWK also deals in grain, runs
several retail outlets and has
a half-share (with Senwes) in
CertiSure Brokers. The company
has 37 silos with a capacity of
2.5-million tons. ■
ONLINE RESOURCES
Grain SA: www.grainsa.co.za
North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: www.dard.nwpg.gov.za
Red Meat Producers Organisation: www.rpo.co.za
PHOTO: Simbra SA
15 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2023/24