SYBRANDSKRAAL – A groundbreaking pilot project spanning over 5,000 hectares is set to cultivate various grains, including maize, soya beans, sunflower, sorghum, and dry beans, in a collaboration between two neighbouring Nkangala municipalities.
Dubbed the Nkangala Grain Corridor Project, it will involve sowing 4,029 hectares in Thembisile Hani and 1,063 hectares in Dr JS Moroka municipalities. Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane unveiled the initiative on Tuesday, 9 April 2024, at Sybrandskraal in the Thembisile Hani municipality.
Operated by four primary cooperatives collectively known as Iphakeme Secondary Cooperative, the project comprises 20 females, 37 males, and 8 young people.
“People in the area requested assistance with establishing a grain production system to yield high-quality and substantial quantities of grain products,” said Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane. “We answered by building this infrastructure which has been revitalized and remodeled to respond to the modern technological needs of our farming communities.”
She further stated that the government, since its inception, has installed numerous silos, harvesters, tractors, and till planters. . “We have also built a security fence and a weigh bridge, upgraded the transformers and installed milling equipment.” Additionally, like many other agricultural projects, the grain corridor project is bolstered through the agro-processing value chain. This ensures that primary produce is processed in agro-processing facilities like mills and distributed through government’s agri-hubs. The Premier also mentioned that the project will first undergo a pilot phase in the Thembisile Hani municipality before expanding to other municipalities in the district.
