Agriculture Agri-processing is set to drive economic growth.
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ompared to other types of manufacturing, agriprocessing can be scaled up relatively quickly with good financial rewards. It can also be labour-intensive. As such, agri-processing is a key plank in the growth plans of the Northern Cape. Work has already been done in providing manufacturing facilities for the speciality tea, rooibos, at Niewoudtville and investments have been made in fisheries and new vineyard development for groups of people who previously had not had exposure to the grape and wine sector. The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) was behind the rooibos tea factory, which now trades as Bokkeveld Rooibos. The factory takes tea from 85 local farmers with the goal of helping to integrate these farmers into the agricultural and agri-processing business chain. Two particular areas of interest to assist small-scale farmers are being explored with regard to hemp and crops that can produce liquor. The dry interior of the Northern Cape is suitable NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2019/20
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SECTOR INSIGHT Hemp and liquor hold enormous potential. • A commercial goat kid project has expanded into Namibia.
for the growing of Agave that provides the source material for tequila and there are several other opportunities. The rapidly changing legislative environment for hemp and marijuana holds potential in textiles and medicine.
