The Eksteenskuil community originated in the early 1920s, when the first families settled on about 2 000ha in the Lower Orange River region, near Keimoes in the Northern Cape.
The area, which has about 630ha under flood irrigation from the Orange River, initially splintered into about 200 small plots, but by the 1970s these had been consolidated into 147 plots, of about 3,9ha each.
Filomaine Schwartz, office manager of the Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative, says government allocated the land to community members in 2003, but about 47 of the original 250 title deeds still need to be transferred.
“Without title deeds, many of our members are stuck. They don’t have money to produce anything and are unable to obtain loans without collateral. Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative tries to bridge this gap by applying for grants and financing for the group as a whole.”
Thanks to this, the majority of its members are able to make a decent living. Indeed, some are doing so well that they have been able to increase their area under production by buying out plots from neighbours as well as on the open market.
“In the absence of title deeds, sales contracts are used during these transactions, stipulating that the deed should be transferred to the new owner as soon as the previous owner receives it. As a result of this, the co-operative currently has 112 members, ranging between the ages of 50 and 80, with a few young ones now also joining in,” says Schwartz.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin 16 June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin 16 June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations
Exploring what the Garden Route offers birdwatchers, Brian Berkman discovers some special people who run hospitable places to meet and see a variety of species.
What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers
Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa's Citrus Academy and how it is helping to develop aspiring farmers in the sector.
Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments.
Dr George Craven of Noorspoort, Steytlerville, in the south-eastern Karoo, is successfully using a home-built 'bedstead seeder' to re-establish veld plants in an arid area, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Sowing seeds for the future: unravelling estate planning challenges for farmers
PJ Veldhuizen, managing director of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc, emphasises the critical role of legal expertise in unravelling the ins and outs of estate planning.
Visiting olive oil producers in Spain
A group of agricultural journalists representing 15 member countries of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists recently visited the south of Spain to explore the agricultural operations and opportunities unique to that region. Magda du Toit reports.
SA genetics ready to take on the world
The South African Braunvieh has all it takes to become a serious contender in the international red meat production arena, says Gawie Naudé, owner of the award-winning Eduan Braunvieh Stud near Rhodes in the Eastern Cape. Annelie Coleman reports.
Local company serves farmers and communities
Magda du Toit writes about how a company in Limpopo is training and empowering agricultural workers.
Except for pork, meat prices traded lower this past month
While the local livestock industry continues to battle many challenges, an uptick in beef exports as well as the poultry industry's strides to replenish the chicken supply bode well, says Absa AgriBusiness.
Africa goes from net carbon sink to source
New research shows Africa's impact on greenhouse gases and the need to focus on climate-smart agriculture, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Zero-residue fresh produce a reality
Retail giants are calling for caution when using biologicals and chemical pesticides, writes Lindi Botha.