The North West is home to a growing number of agricultural projects, as investors eye the province as a hotspot for agricultural investment.
The sector is already attracting lots of investment and Invest North West has identified a series of agriculture-related sub-sectors in the province as being ideally suited for cluster development.
Below are two opportunities currently available in the province. For more information on these or any other agricultural opportunities on offer in the North West contact Elijah on elijah@inw.org.za.
Taung Irrigation Scheme
The Taung Irrigation Scheme has been developed with a view to settling small-scale commercial farmers in an environment that helps to foster greater economic opportunities for the individual farmer family as well as generating further opportunities for the broader Taung communities.
The irrigation scheme infrastructure is currently being upgraded with the aim of revamping the pivot system and improving the soil drainage system. This investment will improve the productivity per unit of land.
Three multinational companies are already investing in the scheme through partnerships with participating farmers. These are South African Breweries (barley), McCain (potatoes) and Cotton South Africa (cotton). Export orders are also being received from neighbouring countries
In addition to these three crops, which only occupy one-third of the total land available at the Taung Irrigation Scheme, a wide range of field and horticultural crops can also be grown. These include high value orchard crops such as citrus, pecan nuts, paprika and olives.
There is surplus water supply that can be put to use immediately after the upgrading has been completed as the scheme has not yet been able to use its approved quota to full capacity.
Opportunities available in the Taung Irrigation Scheme:
- Additional private sector partnerships with farmers
- Processing and beneficiation of crops in the Taung area
For more information about how you can get involved in the Taung Irrigation Scheme, please, contact Elijah on elijah@inw.org.za.
Indigenous Medicinal Herbs
The Devil's Claw is an indigenous herb that can be processed into a medicine for the treatment of diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, liver and gall bladder problems, diabetes and hepatitis.
A processing plant for Devil’s Claw and other indigenous medicinal herbs is being planned in the Ganyesa area. Cultivation is already taking place and 7,000 seasonal workers are employed throughout the region as harvesters.
The project will have a capacity to produce pharmaceutical products in either liquid, powder or tablet form depending on the requirements of different markets.
Opportunities available in the medicinal herb processing plant:
- Financial investment
- Equipment / technology contribution
- Manufacturing capability
- Management expertise
- Marketing expertise /
distribution channels
For more information about the various opportunities available in harvesting medicinal plants in the North West, contact Elijah on elijah@inw.org.za.
For more information on either of these investments or other opportunities in the North West province, please contact invest North West:
Name: Elijah
Email: elijah@inw.org.za
Tel: +27 14 594 2570
