A former school in KwaZulu-Natal has been transformed into a thriving farm that supplies fresh produce and grain to retailers in Durban, creates jobs and provides practical opportunities for agricultural graduates.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Vuka Supply Farm in Umbumbuluin the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has been hailed as a model for agricultural development that could be replicated in other areas. The 16-hectare farm is located on the site of a school that was no longer in use.
Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, visited the farm on Wednesday, 8 July, as part of Operation Siyahlola, a government oversight and service delivery campaign.
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Investment boosts production
As part of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s farmer support programme, Vuka Supply Farm received a tractor, 10 tunnels, manure and fertiliser to boost production.
“Operation Siyahlola is about seeing for ourselves that government resources are reaching the people on the ground,” kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said. “We are here to ensure that this equipment and inputs are used to increase food production and create jobs for our people in Umbumbulu.
“What impresses me most is the conversion of a previously non-viable school into a thriving agricultural business, something that other districts should replicate.”
She said the project was delivering good value from government’s R3,6 million investment. The beneficiary, Vuka Supply Farm director Mondli Shangase, has also invested in the project by funding the drilling of a borehole.
KaMadlopha-Mthethwa said the classrooms could be repurposed as storage facilities and workshops to support agricultural production. She added that the Agribusiness Development Agency had identified a suitable beneficiary and expressed confidence that the project could become a flagship programme.
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Graduates provide technical support
Five agricultural graduates have been placed at Vuka Supply Farm to provide technical support and help ensure the sustainability of the project. Shangase said the support received from the department would strengthen production.
“We are thankful to the Department of Agriculture for all the items that have been handed over to us. These include 10 tunnels, a tractor for our 16 hectares of land and farming implements. This will help us a lot,” he said.
“The department has also assisted us with agricultural graduates. And we have hired 10 people from the local community.”
For Shangase, the project is about more than keeping the farm productive. His ambition is to use agriculture to address two of the biggest challenges facing his community: food insecurity and unemployment.
“We will do our best to keep the business running. Our goal is to fight food insecurity and reduce unemployment in this area. Our fresh produce and grain products are already being supplied to big retailers around Durban,” he said.
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