OVERVIEW Agriculture
OVERVIEW Agriculture Urban farming is in the spotlight. Gauteng is primarily an urban province, but the agricultural sector plays a very important role in the economy. The Provincial Government of Gauteng has set up Action Labs to focus on agriculture and agri-processing with a focus on land tenure issues and improving food security. These initiatives will also play a role in boosting township economies if food producers can be linked to the value chain. The Urban Agriculture Initiative of the Chamber of Mines was launched in 2017. The roofs of buildings are being put to use as agricultural land, hosting various crops cultivated by aquaponics and hydroponics. A pilot project on the top of the Chamber’s building has produced about 15kg of basil for Nhlanhla Mpati (above). First National Bank’s canteen is supplied with vegetables by its own rooftop farm. The Johannesburg Inner City Partnership is driving the initiative. The Fresh Produce Market in Johannesburg is South Africa’s biggest market. The region’s other two metropolitan areas, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, also have large markets to cater for the region’s large population. The Springs Fresh Produce Market accounts for 3% of South African market share which it intends increasing as it expands its facilities. Gauteng’s agricultural sector is largely concentrated on producing vegetables for the huge cities that dominate the region. There is commercial farming in the southern sector of the province (part of South Africa’s maize triangle) and the farming of cotton, groundnuts and sorghum is undertaken in areas near Bronkhorstspruit (east) and Heidelberg (in the south). The province is home to some of South Africa’s largest agricultural companies, including AFGRI, a listed agriculture services and foods SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS • The provincial government wants to boost food production and agri-processing. • Basil is growing on the top of the Chamber of Mines building. company, which specialises in animal feed production. Africa’s largest feedlot for cattle is located in Heidelberg: Karan Beef’s facility can accommodate 120 000 cattle. The feedmill processes 1 400 tons per day and the associated abattoir in Balfour in neighbouring Mpumalanga sometimes deals with 1 800 head of cattle per day. The 2 330ha Karan estate also includes a game farm and an eco-development. The Kanhym Agrimill in Vereeniging is one of three in the company’s portfolio, which collectively processes 250 000 tons of animal feed annually. Kanhym GAUTENG BUSINESS 2018/19 36
OVERVIEW Estates is the largest producer of pigs in the country and the company’s Middelburg farm in Mpumalanga is geared to supply the Gauteng market. Fruit, dairy products, eggs, maize and grain are also produced in large volumes within the province. As the most populous region of South Africa, Gauteng consumes large quantities of food. And South Africans eat more chickens than anything else. Poultry farm and production facilities abound in Gauteng. Astral Foods, RCL Foods and Daybreak Farms are among the biggest companies in the province. The poultry industry in South Africa has been in the spotlight with a change in the arrangements relating to import duties from the US. Many agriculture-focused research institutions are based in the province. The Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) national research facilities are in Pretoria, and include the Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. In addition, the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) is located at the University of Pretoria. Policy support The provincial government is supporting 178 small-holder farmers through farmer support and development initiatives. An information technology programme is to be implemented. This will focus on crop and livestock monitoring and is intended to increase productivity. The Gauteng City Region will roll out the deployment of information technology in the farming community. This will present opportunities for farmers to monitor their crops/livestock and increase productivity. The R50-million programme encompasses: ONLINE RESOURCES Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa: www.aeasa.org.za Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za AgriSA: www.agriinfo.co.za Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: www.gdard.gpg.gov.za Johannesburg Development Agency: www.jda.org.za National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: www.daff.gov.za South African Crocodile Farming Association: www.sacfa.co.za South African Poultry Association: www.sapoultry.co.za • Gauteng Agriculture Information System • Farm Business Analysis (DNA) • Gauteng Agriculture Economy Analysis (including market monitoring) • Smart Agriculture Feasibility. A province-wide Agro- Processing Summit was held to bring together small-holder and commercial farmers, food retail companies, finance institutions and researchers. The summit was organised by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development. Woolworths’ Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme gave Sophiatown-born Jimmy Botha the chance to become a successful farmer of baby spinach, rocket and basil. With advice from a supportive neighbour farmer (who was already supplying to Woolworths), Botha grew his farming business to the point where he now has 42 full-time employees and 30 seasonal workers. Massmart, the retail group now owned by US giant Walmart, invested R15-million in the five years to 2017 to create opportunities in its food chain for emerging farmers. Techno-Serve, a non-governmental organisation, oversees the programme. The Massmart Supplier Development Fund has enabled small farmers to have the security of a confirmed buyer for their products and many of them have grown their businesses substantially. 37 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2018/19
