A youth-owned farming co-operative in Vaalbank, near Lady Frere in the Eastern Cape, is turning a R399 796 incentive into a catalyst for commercial agricultural growth.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The funding, provided through the Imvaba Co-operative Fund, which is managed by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), enabled the implementation of an irrigation scheme that is helping Feeda Nathi Primary Agricultural Co-operative increase production and strengthen its position in formal agricultural markets.
Operating on a 50ha farm, the co-operative currently cultivates approximately six hectares, producing cabbage, butternut, beetroot, large white pumpkins and green squash. Its produce is supplied to established markets including Pick n Pay in Komani, SPAR Dordrecht, Umfundisi in Queenstown and the East London Fresh Produce Market.
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From backyard gardens to commercial markets
Although Feeda Nathi formally registered as a co-operative in 2020, its journey began in 2018 with backyard food gardens. Today, the business is owned by five young farmers aged between 26 and 33: Siyamthanda Gatyeni, Lumanyano Magxala, Sandiso Magxala, Zimi Gatyeni and Thabiso Magxala. Beyond producing food, the co-operative has become an important source of employment in the local community, creating 12 permanent jobs and providing work for a further 18 seasonal employees.
The co-operative’s growth shows what can be achieved when determination is supported by the right opportunities, said ECDC acting manager for Financial Incentives and Business Support, Fikile Mzinyati. “When jobs disappeared and uncertainty arrived during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, they did not wait for opportunity to knock. They planted it,” said Mzinyati.
Irrigation changes the game
According to the Feeda Nathi co-operative chairperson Siyamthanda Gatyeni, the installation of the irrigation system marked a major turning point for the business.
For a farming enterprise operating in an area where rainfall can no longer be relied on, access to dependable irrigation has significantly improved production planning and crop management. “That support made a huge difference. Irrigation is one of the most important things when growing crops. Before that, we depended heavily on rainfall and it cost us a lot. Now we can water our crops with certainty and consistency,” said Gatyeni.
Mzinyati added that the investment has done more than improve access to water.
“The R399 796 investment for the procurement of an irrigation scheme unlocked more than water. It strengthened production capacity and allowed the co-operative to move from survival farming towards commercial ambition,” he said.
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Building a platform for expansion
The co-operative has also achieved South African Good Agricultural Practices (SA-GAP) certification, enabling it to meet formal market requirements and compete at a larger scale.
However, the young farmers have no intention of slowing down. Their next phase of growth includes expanding irrigation infrastructure, acquiring a larger tractor, investing in bigger planting implements and buying a fine-seed planter to improve efficiency and increase production. The co-operative has also identified cold storage facilities and alternative energy solutions, including solar power and backup generation, as priorities for future investment.
Youth agriculture creating rural opportunities
Gatyeni believes the success of Feeda Nathi challenges perceptions that young people are not interested in agriculture. “There is a myth that young people are not interested in agriculture. Yet in Vaalbank we are proving something different: that youth and agriculture may just be one of the boldest business combinations in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
The co-operative has also diversified its operations by establishing a logistics arm that transports iron ore, creating an additional income stream alongside farming. “Our long-term vision is clear: to operate sustainably at commercial scale and supply markets across towns surrounding Vaalbank and beyond,” Gatyeni added.
Mzinyati said supporting youth-owned agricultural enterprises is critical for building a stronger and more inclusive agricultural sector. “Investing in youth-owned agricultural businesses is an investment in a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous future. It helps preserve agricultural knowledge and experience through sustainable enterprises while strengthening the long-term growth of the sector,” he said.
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