9 August 2023
By: Marieke Snyman
During a visit to Batlhako Temo citrus farm in Brits, organised by Fruit SA, African Farming saw that transformation can be successful with the right support and management, hard work and vision.
If you have a preconceived idea of a farm that is part of the government’s transformation programme, it is heartening to be proven wrong at first glance during a visit to Batlhako Temo, a citrus farm near Brits, North West.
Fruit SA invited African Farming and other stakeholders for this visit, and it quickly became apparent that Batlhako Temo is proof of what can be achieved. Fruit SA also received important feedback on its transformation initiatives, and this will help it to strengthen partnerships with the government.
Batlhako Temo Services is a primary cooperative in Hartbeespoort that began its operations in 2010 with the assistance of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), through the former Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
The farm has a 30-year lease with the department, with an option to purchase. Batlhako Temo Services has 61.5 hectares of farm land, with plantings on 44.41ha, of which 22.78ha are in production.
Co-owner Isaac Moilwa says they initially grew sunflowers but diversified into citrus after two years. Today, Batlhako Temo Services is the first black-owned citrus producer in the province to enter the world market.
Isaac’s wife, Lerato Venecia Moilwa, says crops include lemons, mandarins and oranges. “We distribute our products locally to fresh produce markets and Magalies Citrus for juicing, and internationally to Taiwan, the Middle East, America, Russia, the Philippines, China and Singapore,” she says.
The farm provides employment for about 15 permanent workers, 20 contract workers, 81 seasonal workers, and 15 in-service training students from agricultural institutions.
Receiving support
With financial support from state institutions, coupled with good management, Batlhako Temo Services is building on a good foundation.
Agriculture Madibeng provided R1.6 million for the irrigation of 22ha; the national agriculture department made R10 million available to improve infrastructure, establish a 13-hectare orchard, as well as for mechanisation and production inputs; and the Citrus Growers Association provided R1.2 million and technical support.
“When we arrived on the farm, there were 16 000 trees but no irrigation. We had to water all the trees with a garden hose. Now we get water for irrigation from the Hartbees River Scheme,” says Isaac.
With all the financial support, the Moilwas and their team established an irrigation system across the farm, an underground drainage system and an electric fence.
Strengths
Money alone doesn’t make a farm successful. It requires management and leadership, which the Moilwas clearly possess.
“The farm can be developed into a larger citrus enterprise, and the current orchards can contribute to short-term cash flow needs,” says Isaac.
“In our area, there is a great need for mentorship, and we are happy to make it available, especially if it means that the young people we train will come to work on our farm.
“We are close to local markets and processing facilities, and have access to a reliable and sustainable source of irrigation water. We have also established a relationship with a fruit processing company and recently gained access to a fruit warehouse through Seda.”
Opportunities
Farming with vision means recognising opportunities for the future. Lerato says there is room for them to grow in local and export markets, and that supermarket groups need reliable black suppliers.
“We also have space to plant another 7,150 citrus trees in the newly established 13ha orchard. This allows us to address the seasonality of production with regard to competitors from the northern hemisphere.
“In addition, we can be part of the initiative to supply rapidly growing emerging markets such as Japan, the Middle East and China. There is increasing demand due to consumers who prefer a healthy diet.”
Kutlwano Hlaletwa, one of the Moilwas’ students, says there are 28,324 trees on the 44.41ha. Some 22.78ha are in production, 21.63ha are new plantings, and there is infrastructure and roads on 17ha.
Impressive warehouse
Walking around the farm, you can’t miss the impressive warehouse, and Isaac proudly tells the story behind this large building.
“In 2019, we applied for the packhouse establishment financial assistance grant from the working fund of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and the Land Bank.
“Our application was approved in 2022 as a 50% mixed funding. The construction of the warehouse began in 2022 and will extend until August 2023.”
The packaging machine was installed by MAF RODA. “The machine has sensors that can measure the diameter, colour and shape of the fruits, and detect black spot and other airborne diseases,” says Isaac. “It also includes the Brix index, which can measure the sugar levels of the fruits, and the sensors can detect fruit rot.”
