NAMC Visit to the Northern Cape

The Transformation Review Committee of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) conducts on-farm visits to projects funded through Statutory Levies to obtain first-hand insight into industry transformation initiatives. During the first week of December 2025, SAPPA hosted the committee on a visit to selected pecan projects in the Northern Cape, including Vaalharts, the Jacobsdal area, and the region from Groblershoop to Keimoes.

A representative group of nineteen projects was visited, ranging from smallholder producers with as little as 0.7 hectares under pecans to a commercial operation with a 23.5-hectare pecan orchard. Some of the projects have been receiving support since 2014, when SAPPA’s transformation programme was initiated, while others only commenced in July 2025.

Each visit began with the NAMC outlining the purpose of the engagement. This included verifying the support provided to beneficiaries as reported by SAPPA on an annual basis, as well as identifying potential additional opportunities for assistance. Beneficiaries were also asked whether they had received support from other sources and were informed of possible future avenues for development. The visits concluded with an orchard walk, during which practical aspects of pecan production and current on-farm activities were discussed.

For many of the NAMC representatives, this was their first direct exposure to the pecan industry. The visit provided valuable context that will support future engagements with SAPPA. Feedback from the committee on SAPPA’s transformation programme was very positive, with particular appreciation expressed for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the pecan value chain. The visit also allowed SAPPA to engage with the NAMC at ground level and to discuss some of the practical challenges encountered in implementing transformation initiatives. In return, the NAMC shared insights and examples from other industries, providing valuable input on ways to further strengthen support for transformation beneficiaries.