Transformation

Background

One of the conditions of the statutory measures is that at least 20% of levy income be spent on transformation (development of emerging role players). The SAPPA Board fully supports transformation in the South African Pecan Nut Industry. A Transformation Committee with the Director for Transformation as Chairperson was established. The committee must ensure that the funds are effectively spend to increase the successful participation of black farmers in the industry.

During July 2014 the first transformation projects were launched. Due to the low number of black pecan nut farmers at that stage, the initial approach was to introduce pecan nut farming to as many new black farmers as the available funds allowed. Several small orchards of up to one hectare, were established at farmers that were interested in getting involved and had suitable land available. It started off in the farming areas where pecan nuts were already grown and expertise is at hand.

Trial projects were initially launched near Upington and in the Vaalharts irrigation scheme. Since this small beginning SAPPA’s involvement grew to such an extent that there are now projects in each of the nine provinces and technical assistance became a very important key factor in supporting emerging farmers. From 2014 to 2021 more than 90 farmers were assisted and 16 000 trees were donated.

Opportunities

Pecan nuts can significantly increase the income of relative small scale farmers. The trees take up to seven years to start bearing and only if well managed, reach full production between 12 and 15 years after planting. This allows inter cropping while the trees are small to assist with cash flow.

The cost and long period between planting and harvesting pecan nuts, necessitate a long-term relationship between SAPPA and the identified black farmers. During this period practical on farm evaluation and assistance are given to ensure success with new orchards and to improve the yield of existing orchards.

The pecan nut industry is fast growing and this allows for the involvement of developing farmers.

Approach

The focus is on previously disadvantage people, priority being black woman, with available land and sufficient water.

Smallholder farmers with limited land, are assisted to obtain maximum utilisation of the land by making use of high-density planting of up to 200 trees per hectare.

The emphasis is moving from establishing small orchards to assisting farmers with available land to become commercial pecan nut farmers. This will include assistance with production material and equipment required to support a commercial farming operation.

Projects

• Individual emerging farmers and trusts – More than 50 farmers have been assisted to establish pecan nut orchards or to improve the yield on their existing orchards.
• Smallholder farmers with suitable land are assisted optimise the use of the available land.
• Establish orchards as part of mixed farming operations.
• Commercialising farmers with available land.
• Provide support for students working on SAPPA research project at Universities and bursaries to learners at selected agricultural schools.
• Socio-economic projects where schools and community organisations with agricultural land are helped to establish orchards.