Region
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
iLembe District Municipality

Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing

Summary:

Enterprise Ilembe is in the process of establishing agro-processing hubs in each of the four local municipalities. The emphasis will be on growing and supplying lightweight, high-value, fresh produce to international markets.

Contact
Cheryl Peters

Email
cheryl@enterpriseilembe.co.za

Tel
+27 32 437 9300

Project Description

The initial concept around the establishing of agro-processing hubs came from the construction of the new King Shaka airport and the Dube Trade Port. It was envisaged that with the Ilembe district being in close proximity to the Dube Trade Port it would be strategic to engage in growing of agricultural commodities to export through the trade port.

The emphasis will be on growing and supplying lightweight, high-value, fresh produce to international markets. The four municipalities, which fall in the Ilembe District Municipality are Mandeni, Kwadukuza, Maphumulu and Ndwedwe. With this in mind the Dept. of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs was approached for funding.  Funding was approved for the construction and the establishment of four hydroponic greenhouses, two plant nurseries, a processing and packaging facility and the facilitation of market linkages.

The service provider, Dr Zungu of Zunco Foods, was appointed to provide the following services:

• Identify four sites for the hydroponic greenhouses (one in each local municipality)
• Design and procure the greenhouses
• Establish two plant nurseries
• Train and develop co-ops related to the project.
• Create suitable market linkages for the commodities to be sold.

Project Champion

Enterprise Ilembe is the project initiator and the project champion. In addition Enterprise Ilembe is the project manager. The estimated capital cost to set up the entire agro-processing hub is R11.5-million.

Project End Goal

The end goal of establishing the agro-processing hub is as follows:

• Produce 1st grade tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers
• Identify suitable markets for the produce
• Supply export quality products to world markets
• Create community-ownership structures for each of the four sites.
• Create at least 15 permanent jobs at each of the sites.
• Build sustainable market linkages from producers, to export or buying agents


Goals achieved to-date

• Four sites identified
• Co-ops identified and registered
• Greenhouses ordered and procured
• First two sites leveled and cleared


For more information about this opportunity or others in the Ilembe District Municipality, contact:

Enterprise Ilembe
Cheryl Peters
cheryl@enterpriseilembe.co.za
+27 (0) 32 437 9300