New era for Orange River raisin producers

The Vine Academy and Model Farm were officially launched in May 2022 to improve the sustainability of raisin farmers. Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this development

- Glenneis Kriel

When and why were the Vine Academy and Model Farm launched?

Raisins SA’s board got the idea to start the Vine Academy and Model Farm around March 2020, as part of an effort to ensure the future competitiveness of the raisin industry in the Lower Orange River Valley in the Northern Cape.

South Africa is the world’s fifth-largest producer of raisins, and more than 80% of our output comes from the Orange River Valley.

Tell us more about raisin production in the Orange River Valley

The Lower Orange River Valley comprises 44 000ha of irrigated land, with grape production representing more than 60% of the total production area. The industry is a major contributor to the region’s economy; it employs about 50 000 people and generates approximately R6 billion each year.

How will the Vine Academy improve the competitiveness of the industry?

Human resource capabilities and skills have been identified as major constraints on the industry. This applies both to farmworkers and young professionals entering the sector.

The main aims of the Vine Academy are therefore to upskill and empower the workforce, and to equip emerging growers with the skills and knowledge they need to graduate to commercial status as quickly as possible.

And the Model Farm?

This aims to generate research and demonstrate agricultural practices and techniques that are relevant to the unique climatic and production conditions of the Lower Orange River region.