02 May 2024
By: Lebogang Mashala
Azowel farming project gets support after severe weather blows.
Welile Gumede is the founder of the Azowel farming project in Camperdown. She suffered severe losses due to bad weather and unrest, but can now breathe a sigh of relief after the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Land Reform stepped in.
According to the department, severe weather conditions in the last two years have caused major losses for KZN farms, with some unable to resume production.
Agriculture MEC Super Zuma recently visited the Azowel project, which uses hydroponics to produce 20 000 tonnes of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for various markets. The business has received R3,6 million from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Agribusiness Development Agency.
As a young, unemployed single mother, Welile used her daughter’s child support grant to establish Azowel in 2018 when she was 26.
Before the floods, the company had 40 tunnels producing tomatoes and green peppers, with an annual turnover of R1,6 million and 32 employees.
The company was originally located in KwaDukuza but operations were halted by the unrest in July 2021 and at least 10 workers lost their jobs.
During the early stages of recovery, the province was hit by flooding in April 2022 and Welile says the farm sustained damage of at least R2,9 million. It lost all its tunnels and vegetables and had to relocate to Camperdown.
“Just when we were trying to rebuild, the 2023 hailstorm wiped out all our efforts,” says Welile. “The damage last year set us back as we were unable to start with the production of cucumbers. The tomatoes were also completely damaged.”
The department provided the farm with 4 500 peppers and 2 400 tomato seedlings and there are now 21 tunnels with a maximum capacity of 900 plants each. Ten tunnels are in full production.
Welile says Azowel hopes to maximise production by erecting a packhouse that will also assist with waste management. “We are also in need of an irrigation system. But we are grateful to government for the assistance we have received.”
Zuma said the department would continue working with Azowel until it is thriving as a commercial farm. “I am pleased by the hard work that I see. We will do all we can to ensure that you reach your full potential,” he told Welile.
