What started as a simple initiative by a group of small farmers in the Peddie region of the Eastern Cape is turning out to be a burgeoning enterprise that will see quantities of pineapple produce finding its way to the country’s biggest markets.
The spin-off is a sustainable poverty alleviation project that employs about 800 people.
The Peddie pineapple project, launched in 1997, is a product of the local municipality, traditional leaders, the local farmers’ organisation and the local development forum, who put their heads together to stimulate economic activity in the area.
Speaking at a recent harvest day at the Long Ridge farm, project manager Luyanda Mtya said: “The project is progressing well and about 115ha has already been planted. We are expecting that 1 800 tons of fruits will be harvested out of the remaining 26ha.”
Over the next five years the project plans to plough 4 000ha — a goal that is made possible by the technical and business skills transfer programme funded by the Eskom Development Foundation.
The project is also exploring market opportunities in The Netherlands and Switzerland.
“There is a strong need to manage the existing crops on a small scale with a view to have a solid and unshakable foundation,” said Mtya.
The success of the Peddie pineapple project has attracted the attention of the provincial government.
“The Eastern Cape province is second to none in the country when it comes to the spirit of goodwill and co-existence among the emerging farmers and commercial farmers,” said MEC for Agriculture Max Mamase at the harvesting day.
Mamase said public-private partnerships based on mentorship programmes for the transfer of skills and expertise are key to the success of local economic development initiatives. This resulted in a recent financial injection to the tune of R7,5-million from Mamase’s department.
Bruce Yendall, chairperson of the private pineapple company, Pineco, agrees that partnerships are the way to go for the future. About four years ago Pineco was approached by the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs to look for a way to rehabilitate the Peddie pineapple scheme owned by the local communities.
“There was absolutely nothing to look for in terms of infrastructure development as no one had intentions to consider the place for farming again. About 20ha were used for piloting purposes, and technical support services was introduced. Weekly study groups were introduced where seeds were given to emerging farmers, most of them freely.
“I must acknowledge that the interaction between the Pineco and the Peddie pineapple project members has been excellent and cooperation has been good.”
The project has been a resounding success and Pineco believes that it has done everything possible to ensure its future long-term viability. The project has been used as a showpiece for many other agricultural industries to uplift previously disadvantaged farmers.
Thethisa Gaxa (55), one of the project’s workers, says she is proud to be part of the initiative.
“I am very happy that we are now employed. We started in this area as volunteers because we realise there were no opportunities for jobs in this area. I can now have something to put on my table for my children. I want this project to grow so that people can be employed and the scourge of crime in this area can be reduced drastically.”
Said Mtya: “The most important element for the success of this project is community ownership. Community ownership is one of the strong pillars of sustainability of this project. That sense of ownership has added value to this project.”