6 minute read
Agro-economy
City helps cooperatives to grow
EThekwini Municipality has a dedicated department called Agri-Business, which falls under the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit. The Agri-Business Department’s objective is to incubate start-up and growth entrepreneurs operating in the sustainable food value chain.
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The Agri-Business Department also works to develop previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs that can produce, process, and deliver food in a sustainable and profitable manner.
An empowering set of programmes have been established by the department. These include youth nurseries, fencing and irrigation, poultry farms, tunnel farm rentals, access-to-market programmes, and training and mentorship.
The achievements of the department and its programmes are unrivalled. Thus far, there has been an investment of approximately R96.1 million by the municipality, provincial government, and other stakeholders. Markets have been opened for previously disadvantaged farmers and over 1 400 permanent jobs have been created.
In addition, the eThekwini Agribusiness Master Plan, which has been adopted DID YOU KNOW? by Council, focuses on five key areas. These are vegetables, sheep, The eThekwini broilers, cannabis Agribusiness Master Plan and piggery. It is a is earmarked to create guiding document 2 371 direct jobs, 7 500 that aligns eThekwini’s indirect jobs and attract agricultural initiatives a total GDP of with current R10 billion agricultural development approaches nationally and in KwaZulu-Natal. It is earmarked to create 2 371 direct jobs, 7 500 indirect jobs and attract a total gross domestic product of R10 billion.
BENEFICIARIES
Sinqoba NgoKuhle – Cooperative The Sinqoba NgoKuhle cooperative is a group of women based in Umzinyathi. They received support with fencing, irrigation, farmer development, market access opportunities, as well as a storage container. The cooperative produces different crops, including green beans, spinach, beetroot, and onions. They have successfully sold 120 bags of butternut to retailer Checkout and half a hectare of maize to Food Lover’s Market and Spar. Sindiswa Zuma, chairperson of Sinqoba NgoKuhle, said they took up farming to combat poverty. They had no idea it would be so successful and that they could earn a living from it. When they started, it was difficult, as they had no fencing and their crops were either stolen or eaten by animals. “The municipality stepped in and fenced the whole area, provided tanks for irrigation, and a container that we use as an office. We can now sleep better knowing our crops are secure,” said Zuma.
Egcakini Farmers – Vertical farming Egcakini Farmers, a cooperative comprised of elderly citizens, is proof that innovation is not only for the youth. This KwaDabeka cooperative is utilising the innovative vertical planting system to grow vegetables. Sipho Zulu, 56, who leads the group, said this method of planting is ideal for him and elderly people, as they can plant their crops while sitting down. “It removes much of the hard labour of traditional planting methods while achieving the same quality of vegetables. We will forever be grateful to the municipality for exposing us to this innovative system. For elderly people, it is easy to garden without struggle given their age,” he said. To assist them, he said the municipality provided irrigation, fencing, the vertical planting setup, compost as well as technical support. Zulu and his team have started to grow 4 320 plants, which include lettuce, spinach, carrots, and chillies. This system is ideal for township and informal settlement areas where there is limited access to large tracts of land. Zuma said another advantage of the system is that it takes up less space, is easier to harvest and maintain, and allows for easier pest control, as it is a tunnel. It also works in all seasons, he said. “This agri-innovation technique is gaining momentum. I accommodate 12 agricultural students from a local school who come here every day to do practical learning,” said Zulu.
The Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit has seen major successes over the past five years. They have rolled out infrastructure projects that have benefitted the informal economy to the tune of R350 million. These include incubation centres, business hubs, container parks, storage facilities and informal recycling centres. The training of small business owners remains a priority of the unit. Entrepreneurs have been trained through the unit’s programmes on capacity building, business management and building, financial literacy, customer care, and hospitality management. There are also ongoing compliance workshops hosted by the unit.
Providing a marketplace for producers and buyers: Durban Fresh Produce Market
The role of the Durban Fresh Produce Market is to facilitate the distribution of fresh produce. Commercial farmers, as well as small and emerging farmers are dependent on the bulk Fresh Produce Market in order to sell their fresh produce. This platform creates business opportunities for big, small and emerging businesses, inclusive of informal traders, from where they can purchase their fresh produce. The bulk market contributes extensively towards both creating and sustaining jobs in the fresh produce sector.
Integration by design
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SVS only recommends and installs proprietary branded equipment deemed suitable for the specific application requirements of a project. This ensures that systems perform to the design criteria and objectives in every respect. SVS services The company’s services include the following: CCTV: Specialising in both high-end, complex systems and simple retail-focused solutions, SVS delivers off-the-shelf or bespoke systems to suit its customers’ needs. The company also offers the latest in video analytics and integrations – from virtual fence lines to various peoplecounting, facial recognition, metadata classification, vehicle counting and automatic licence plate recognition solutions. Access control: SVS offers several access control solutions with their complexity and functionality dependent on site requirements. Cost-effective technological solutions are implemented to ensure the best fit for customers. SVS has also prioritised the integration of access control with CCTV and fire detection systems, which results in a vast improvement in operational effectiveness and efficiency while ensuring assets and people are protected. Fire detection and evacuation: The company has a team of SAQCC-qualified staff that can design, install, commission and maintain all major fire and evacuation systems. The system designs adhere to the relevant SABS standards, in accordance with SANS 10400. Furthermore, SVS provides all the necessary third-party integrations (access control systems, lifts, fire dampers, extractor fans, centralised air-conditioning
Specialised
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