Agriculture

nations. In addition, South Africa’s farmers import about 80% of fertiliser, much of it from Ukraine.

The South African macadamia industry expects to produce 83 556 tons in 2023, a better crop estimate than 2022 and much better than the 53 000 tons achieved in 2021. Fully 97% of the crop is exported.

Thousands of new trees are being planted every year. In 2022, Mpumalanga was responsible for 37% of the country’s 6 235 new hectares. There are more than 65 000 hectares planted to macadamias in the country. Sophisticated machinery (pictured) is increasingly being used, and data usage is becoming vital for sustainability.

Avocados are not as widespread, but the planting of 800 new hectares annually suggests that global markets are responding well to farms in Mpumalanga and elsewhere. The website of the South African Avocado Growers Association lists 25 companies that export the fruit. Mpumalanga accounts for about 21% of South Africa’s citrus production and a third of its export volumes, with Valencias being the province’s most popular varietal and Nelspruit being the centre of the sector.

Litchis, mangoes and bananas also thrive in the province. Hazyview is an important source of bananas, with 20% of South Africa’s production originating there.

The South African Subtropical Growers’ Association is an association of associations that manages the affairs of the following growers associations: South African Avocado (SAAGA), Litchi (SALGA) and Mango (SAMGA). South African agricultural exporters took a hit from the war that Russia began with Ukraine. In a normal year, the country exports five-million cartons of prunes and pears to Russia and more than double number of citrus cartons to the two combatant

Citrus Growers Association: www.cga.co.za

Macadamias South Africa: www.samac.org.za

South African Subtropical Growers’ Association: www.subtrop.co.za

An agro-processing facility is planned for the area near the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and private investors are being approached.

The Fortune 40 programme is focussed on developing young entrepreneurs in farming. Twelve of the Fortune 40 farms have been linked to retailers such as Spar, Shoprite and Boxer and with wholesalers and agro-hubs.

The goal is to have an agrohub in each of the province’s three districts. Small-scale farmers and co-operatives can connect to the formal economy via the hubs which will also provide advice and equipment. The Mkhuhlu agro-hub in Bushbuckridge, which forms part of the Provincial Government Nutrition Programme, is operational. A feasibility study is underway relating to the establishment of a hub in the Nkomazi Municipality.

Phezukomkhono Mlimi is a provincial government assistance programme providing mechanisation and input support to small-scale and new farmers. Training courses are offered by the AgriSETA. Agriculture is responsible for about 3.4% of Mpumalanga’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). ■