A macadamia farming project in the Eastern Cape funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) intends to expand its business into exports, thereby increasing employment opportunities.
Amajingqi Macadamia Farming field manager, Lwando Mnqweno, noted that the expansion would be assisted by the Land Bank and highlighted Australia, Europe and China as key export markets.
He also stated that the farming project had already improved the lives of over 12 villages in the areas surrounding the farm as it currently employed over 118 members of the community – largely youth and women.
Dti deputy minister Bulelani Magwanishe, who visited the farm earlier this week, pointed out that the dti had supported this project with a cash grant of R40 million under the employment Creation Fund.
“The overall goal and purpose of the project is to establish a community-owned macadamia nut industry in the Eastern Cape utilising land in the rural communities located along the coastal belt,” he said.
“The long-term intention is to develop the whole macadamia value chain and create sustainable economic opportunities which will allow for sustainable jobs and the creation of emerging farmers in the rural areas.”
