Funding to the tune of R5,3 million from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) has helped kick-start two new crops in the Eastern Cape’s Keiskammahoek area, about 100 km from King William’s Town.

Almost 35 hectares of the paprika herb and the rose geranium are now estimated to be under cultivation in the area which has healthy appetite for adopting new crops as well as resurrecting crops previously indigenous to the area.

ECDC project development specialist Ken Bern says the area’s eclectic crops have one essential element in common; huge market demand which sustains production. The area has also been successful in bringing huge numbers of growers together and then facilitating the buying process with larger retailers.

Three groups have been seen to be partly responsible for the area’s success - The Keiskammahoek Multi-disciplined Agro Processing Hub which is involved in a range of initiatives, Helele Enterprises which is involved in chicken and vegetable farming as well as the Silwindlala Women’s Project which has turned vegetable farming in the area into an icon.

The agro processing hub, one of the most distinctive cooperative initiatives in the province, comprises two legs; a processing point located at an old military base in Keiskammahoek which offers financial and administrative skills, a computer centre, storage facilities as well as agro processing facilities; the other is some 45 villages, spanning an area of 60 square kilometres, who produce the crops through which 1 000 jobs have been created.

Paprika, one of the crops which ECDC has supported and funded by DST, was first introduced to the area in June this year. Almost 1,6 seedlings were planted. Although the area didn’t initially have paprika farming skills, these were brought in and transferred to two stalwarts of the hub, Mhlangabezi Mpangeva and Sisa Tywabi.

The rabbit project is equally promising. With a trial having already having signalled future success, the foundation is awaiting further funding. Further, a national retailer is said to be ready to buy the 500 rabbits which will be slaughtered each day.

“The maize programme is particularly unique. Growers of the maize pass their crop onto the hub to be milled. Thereafter it is returned to the grower who sets aside enough for the family’s daily needs. The excess is then sold at a much improved price. Further, the foundation also keeps a small part of this harvest aside for sale. The proceeds are then used to fund the next crop. A good farmer can produce 25 50kg grain bags from a quarter hectare in a season. If he has a small family, he can sell up to 19 of them,” explains Sisa Tywabi from the hub that is responsible for the maize project.

“The hub has 10 hectares of rose geranium under plantation and plans to expand this to 35 hectares next year. CSIR trials in the region proved that this was the hardiest crop for growers who have very little experience in growing. What makes this project particularly worthwhile is that the growers receive “very good” prices for the crop upon harvest. This project is part of a larger ECDC essential oil programme which includes sites in Alice and East London at this stage,” explains Bern.

Helele Enterprises has been involved in two projects - chicken farming as well as establishing a vegetable market.

Helele Enterprises MD Zukile Mzamo says the chicken project, which employs about 15 people, involves growing the broiler chickens as well as the slaughtering of the animals. Up to 500 chickens are slaughtered each day. The project is being expanded to include a market which is being funded by the province’s Department of Agriculture.

The vegetable market is being built as a transit point for the produce from the area. Market viability studies are currently underway. Initially about 15 jobs will be created.

Other vegetables initiatives include a vegetable growing project in Zanyokwe which has received support from one of the country’s largest supermarket chains.

The other major group operational in the area is the Silwindlala Women’s Project who have taken vegetable farming to new heights. Earlier this year they were awarded the regional Female Farmer of the Year accolade. The project has now secured a contract with a businessman who supplies vegetables to East London.

“Vegetables are also being considered as a rotational crop for paprika,” adds Bern.

Another sector that has found favour with national, provincial and local government is dairy farming which is being allocated R6 million for irrigation, dairy parlours, fencing and the purchase of cows.

Another venture which continues to create interest in the area is a furniture factory which makes “very good” hard wood furniture.