KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
iLembe District Municipality
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
The agriculture sector in the iLembe District Municipality is currently characterised by two distinct sub-sectors, namely commercial agriculture such as sugar cane farming and subsistence farming in the rural areas.
With the establishment of the Dube TradePort in Durban, there are numerous opportunities to identify agricultural products that can be aligned with the demands of the port, as well as the opportunity to establish facilities such as warehouses; distribution houses and pack houses for agricultural storage of products.
The iLembe district has identified certain key crops that should be targeted:
- Category B products - Flowers, ornamental plants and seedlings
- Category C products - Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs.
- Category D and E products - Processed fruits and semi-perishables
Following are a selection of opportunities currently available in the agriculture sector in iLembe.
- Establishing a Biodiesel Nursery
This opportunity involves the construction and establishment of a nursery for the germination of 800,000 palm nut seeds which are to be made available to growers for the cultivation of palm nuts which are to be used in the production of bio-diesel.
The aim of the project is to make sufficient seedlings available to farmers for the production of palm nuts which are to be used in the processing of bio-diesel and so reduce the country’s dependence on the ever decreasing supply of mineral diesel.
The purpose is to promote local economic development and establish secondary industries through farming with palm nuts and the establishment of a bio diesel processing plant. The construction of the diesel processing plant is the third phase of the project.
For more information on biofuels opportunities in the iLembe District Municipality contact: Mike Newton by email on Mike.Newton@ilembe.gov.za or by Tel on: +27 32 437 9512.
- Establishing Plant Nurseries
This opportunity involves the establishment of a number of projects producing potted plants and bagged ornamental plants to supply (1) to landscaping companies involved with office park and housing developments in iLembe and (2) to supply to the export market.
The aim is to establish new projects in line with the established focus areas, with an overall objective to coordinate role-players around common focus areas in order to strengthen the emerging agricultural sector.
The projects will be located mainly in KwaDukuza Municipality (with access via the N2), and Ndwedwe Municipality (in the vicinity of the P100).
For more information on Plant Nursery opportunities in the iLembe District Municipality contact: Mike Newton by email on Mike.Newton@ilembe.gov.za or by Tel on: +27 32 437 9512.
For more information on these and other agricultural opportunities please contact the iLembe District Municipality:
Contact: Mike Newton
Email: Mike.Newton@ilembe.gov.za
Tel: +27 32 437 9512
