Specialist agricultural advisory firm to assist AsgiSA EC with financing, technical advice and training.

AsgiSA Eastern Cape (EC) is exploring avenues to add value to its programme, reduce costs and ensure optimal use of its resources in its programme.

The rural development agency says private public partnerships (PPPs), processing its crops and improving the soil's productive capacity will help it meet its goals and add value to its business through agro-processing.

Specialist agricultural advisory firm to assist

According to AsgiSA EC's project manager agriculture and agro processing Thukela Mashologu, the agency has already partnered with agricultural specialist business Farm Secure in financing some of its projects in the Ongeluksnek area. 

"The success of the programme depends on the partnerships we have entered into with suppliers of seed, fertiliser and chemicals. Farm Secure will now be more involved in planning and through to implementation.

"They offer services like technical advice and training of project beneficiaries who are accountable of the performance of their products. This is part of the exit strategy to ensure the sustainability of the projects in the future," says Mashologu.

Mashologu says the partnership will enable AsgiSA EC to find other ways of selling its produce and keep abreast of new farming technologies.

"This partnership has created opportunities for markets access, new farming technologies and funding for our projects," says Mashologu.

Partnership also to explore developing milling plants

Medium-term interventions will include exploring the development of milling plants. "That will expand revenue streams and create jobs for us and the communities we serve."

Results of a feasibility study to investigate the development of three milling plants linked to silo complexes have been positive, Mashologu says.  Business plans have also been developed for the three milling plants linked to the silo complexes.

"The intention is to enter in public-private partnership that will help establish a new brand which will compete with the existing brands."

"The competitive advantage of such an initiative will be price since this will bring the inputs closer to the milling plants.  Currently, most milling plants are based outside the province.

The transport cost advantage of such a move will make the brand competitive in relation to brands currently in the market, Mashologu says. "It will also bring much-needed investment in the province and create sustainable jobs."

Agency to intensify its focus on improving yields, diversifying crops

The agency says it will also intensify its focus on improving yields and diversifying crops in the programme to improve its sustainability. Crops that are to be planted this year include maize, soyabeans and dry beans.

"In the next season, other crops like sorghum, sunflower, groundnuts and wheat will be included. To improve productivity of the soil, it is paramount that we also look at rectifying the PH of the soils by applying lime," Mashologu ends