17 July 2023
AgriKool, a small agricultural business, is showing exponential growth after delivering fresh produce worth more than R3 million to the Shoprite Group.
The Pietermaritzburg business solves challenges in the farming value chain, develops small to medium-scale local farmers and sustains regional food security by connecting buyers, growers, producers and transporters of agricultural products. It has also developed an e-marketplace to connect growers with consumers.
Agrikool was founded in 2018 by farmer and agricultural engineer Zamokuhle Thwala, and he co-owns the business with agricultural scientist Palesa Motaung.
The business works with more than 20 farms in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and outlying areas. This ecosystem has created a local economy which has boosted employment and food security in the region.
Thwala pounded the pavements in search of retail partners and succeeded when he reached Freshmark, the Shoprite Group’s fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution division.
“It was a true hustle, and it must have made an impression on someone because we got a meeting with Shoprite,” says Motaung.
The group placed its first order in December 2021, giving the farming entrepreneurs a much-needed foot in the door to supply formal retail in KwaZulu-Natal.
“This deal has helped our business achieve incredible growth in such a short space of time,” says Motaung. “And when it comes to compliance, the group is known for being very strict. They have taught us a lot about retail and how to handle our produce from farm to shelf.”
Shoprite’s Maude Modise, general manager of enterprise and supplier development, says the group understands the role it can play in the success of small suppliers such as AgriKool.
“We launched Shoprite Next Capital last year specifically to assist small suppliers with compliance, working capital and training, to ensure their businesses are commercially viable and sustainable in this tough economic climate.”
For more information, go to https://agrikool.com/
