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- Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s provinces with such a diverse geographical zone, that potato production is possible in most areas.
- By collaborating with the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), extension officers were able to perform a vital role in assisting farmers with land preparation as well as the provision of implements and tractors.
- Of utmost importance in terms of advancing potato production in these areas would be the increase in hectares planted and the number of farmers involved.
- Potatoes SA looks forward to exploring more areas across Mpumalanga where these projects can be implemented to archive its transformation goals.
At the heart of the district development model lies a commodity mapping approach driven by a feasibility benchmark. Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s provinces with such a diverse geographical zone, that potato production is possible in most areas.
The beginning of September 2022 saw four communities in the province planting potatoes as part of Potatoes SA’s Small-Grower Development Programme. Two varieties, namely Mondial and Sifra, were planted. Further demonstrations of chemical and fertiliser applications were also conducted.
By collaborating with the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), extension officers were able to perform a vital role in assisting farmers with land preparation as well as the provision of implements and tractors. This collaboration ensured that projects were ready to be planted.
Kriel planting
Lucky Nkosi, who was the host farmer for the Kriel project in Mpumalanga, hopes that this planting will assist him in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills required for commercial potato production. His goal is to join the Enterprise Development Programme (EPD) of Potatoes SA. With over 80 ha of land available for crop production, Lucky aims to continue developing water and irrigation infrastructure.
Kriel is highly concentrated with coal mining activities that provide feedstocks to electricity-generating plants. As such, rehabilitation programmes that are often implemented by mines will align well with potato planting programmes such as this.
Of utmost importance in
terms of advancing potato
production in these areas,
would be the increase in
hectares planted and the
number of farmers involved
Some of the concerns, however, remain the availability of water infrastructure, with the residents being highly dependent on the local municipality for water supply. Nevertheless, the community and the local extension officers saw this planting demonstration as an initial spark of interest in the commercial production of potatoes.
Clewer planting
“I’ve always looked forward to diversifying with a potato crop to maintain cashflow,” said Bonke Fakude, the host farmer in Clewer, which is located approximately 40 km from the project. The low level of potato production in the area is mostly due to a lack of knowledge on potato production, availability of land, and access to inputs and cultivation implements.
Phumudzo Netshivhera, a DARDLEA extension officer, highlighted the importance of expanding and diversifying small-scale potato production. With a 20-sow piggery unit, Bonke saw the practical initiative as something that would lead to increased farming activities in the area. However, the relatively low level of attendance on the planting day indicated that more work needs to be done to cultivate interest in potato farming in Clewer.
Stimulating participation
Of utmost importance in terms of advancing potato production in these areas would be the increase in hectares planted and the number of farmers involved. With the EDP targeting farmers who plant in a relatively higher area, such an opportunity exists for the programme. The Small-Grower Development Programme, on the other hand, has the potential to increase the number of potato producers in these areas.
Find out what the EU Green Deal means for potato production in South Africa.
As such, Potatoes SA looks forward to exploring more areas across Mpumalanga where these projects can be implemented to archive its transformation goals. – By Rachichi Marokane, Potatoes SA
For any enquiries, email the author at rachichi@potatoes.co.za.
