Loropo Agricultural Farming, Danielskuil

The Loropo Agricultural Farming project is based in Danielskuil, Kgatolepele district municipality. It focuses on small scale farming. The Land Bank, Farmers’ Association and the Department of Agriculture supported the project under the Emerging Farmers Programme. The local farmers in Danielskuil affiliated to the association transport their produce jointly to various markets during and after the harvesting season.

The Foundation grant provided for a pivot irrigation system and they now grow tomatoes, spinach, cabbage and carrots. Prior to the irrigation system being installed, they farmed with maize and lucerne.
 
The project has created seven additional jobs and hires 35 casual workers during the harvesting season. They are diversifying the farming operations to include poultry farming.

Since the Foundation grant, the project has increased its harvest and are now suppliers to local game reserves and other tourist sites. The maize production has increased by 50% and Lucerne by 20% since the introduction of the pivot irrigation system.

Farming operations have been diversified and include:

• 20 hectares is used for maize  cultivation
• 5 hectares used for Lucerne cultivation
• 1 hectare is used for fresh produce
• grazing for 40 cattle and 10 calves
• 800-1 000 chickens for egg laying producing

Pivot irrigation makes a significant difference in the crop yield

Mr Fix It, Sol Plaatjies

The enterprise renders building repairs and renovation services for the community.

A business is based in Kimberley, in the Sol Plaatjies-Francis Baard municipality. The business had 12 employees before the Foundation’s assistance; now an additional 23 jobs have been created. One of their contracts included the upgrading of Kimberley airport.

The business expanded and now includes the selling of building material to the local communities. They also manufacture and fit wall units and shelving for offices and kitchens.

Some of the staff of Mr Fix It