Region
Northern Cape
South Africa

Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing

Summary:

The Provincial government is seeking to develop the pecan nut industry and is welcoming investors and business partners interested in partnering with them on Lower Majeakgoro Pecan Nut Project.

Contact
Bernard Mabele

Email
bernard2011@webmail.co.za

Tel
+27 53 833 1503

Brief overview of this sector in the region

The Northern Cape is enjoying a tremendous growth in value-added activities, including game-farming. Food production and processing for the local and export market is also growing significantly. Underpinning the growth and development plan of the province are the investment projects that link up with the existing plans of the Namaqua Development Corridor.
The economy of a large part of the Northern Cape, the interior Karoo, depends on sheep-farming, while the karakul-pelt industry is one of the most important in the Gordonia district of Upington. The province has fertile agricultural land. In the Orange River Valley, especially at Upington, Kakamas and Keimoes, grapes and fruit are cultivated intensively. Wheat, fruit, peanuts, maize and cotton are produced at the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme near Warrenton.

The Provincial government is seeking to develop the pecan nut industry and is welcoming investors and business partners interested in partnering with them on Lower Majeakgoro Pecan Nut Project.

Description of project

The project will be located on a farm, situated in Magogong, 130km North of Kimberley under the Jurisdiction of Phokwane Local Municipality.

The farm has 63ha of land with water rights and the feasibility study has been completed revealing that the farm is suitable for the following crops: Cash crops (Lucerne, Wheat and Vegetables) Pecan Nuts, Citrus, olives and prunes both on small scale. NCEDA has identified NENSIS nuts as the potential operating partner to form a joint venture with the community for the production of pecan nuts.

Current activities on the land:
- 22ha leased to a commercial farmer.
- The land is used to grow Lucerne primarily used to feed cattle.

Ownership of the land

The land is under the ownership of the Lechuti Commercial Gardens Trust (Lower Majeakgoro community).

The project is deemed feasible from a technical, economic/financial and institutional perspective. It is further believed that the commercial partner will operate in good faith and further contribute to successful black economic empowerment. Presently the available resources (land and water) are registered in the community name in the form of a trust but are under-utilised. In the consultants’ opinion, this is primarily due to the lack of sufficient business knowledge, lack of skills in terms of production practices and support from external stakeholders

Current status of the project

The following deliverables were achieved: Feasibility study and the business plan

The following basic infrastructures are in place: Bulk water infrastructure and water rights

A business plan is available on request.

Type of investment preferred

JV – NENSIS NUTS is the current potential partner.

Estimated investment cost

R13m

For more information about this opportunity, contact:

NCEDA –Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.
Bernard Mabele - Project Manager: Agriculture and Agro-Processing
E-Mail: bernard2011@webmail.co.za
Tel: +27 53 833 1503
Website: www.nceda.co.za