The Free State government is making a significant commitment to apple production by investing R10 million in Stead Fruit Growers, in Bethlehem. Teaming up with Remmoho Investment in Agriculture (RIA), their shared focus is on fostering economic growth and job creation in the region.
The MEC of agriculture and rural development, Saki Mokoena, said the money is set to be used for the expansion of the project and agriculture is at the centre of ensuring that the province position itself as the right place for investment.
Growing agriculture in Free State
On the recent apple harvest day in Bethlehem, Mokoena and the MEC for economic, small business development, tourism and environmental affairs (Destea), Thabo Meeko, said the investment is part of building the Free State’s deciduous fruit industry through the Thabo Mofutsanyana apple hub.
“About 60% of these apples would be destined for export market while the rest would be sold locally and processed for apple juice production at the share of 20% each,” Mokoena said.
According to Mokoena, the project will result in the region producing up to 180 000 tons of apples annually which will bring a much-needed economic boost to the area.
“This will help us in consolidating our export and local markets in terms of supplying the forever in demand apples. The most important thing will be the job creation that will come out of this, and also bringing together black farmers in the commercialisation space in the apple industry,” he said.
Mokoena said the government is building the economy around agriculture and public-private partnerships will make projects like these thrive.
Meeko added that agriculture is the most important industry in the economic emancipation and development of the Free State in the long term.
“It is only agriculture that will be the recourse of this province in terms of job creation and also to reconfigure the economy of the province, and we are excited about that,” he said.
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Investing in entire value chain
Pitso Sekhoto, the chairperson of Remmoho Investment in Agriculture, said the ten-year plan is to have 2 000 hectares of land producing apples which would see over 4 000 jobs created.
“We are running this company of Remmoho Investment in Agriculture and we own 60% of the stud farm. We have thus far planted 12 hectares of land with apples,” he said.
Sekhoto said the apples they produce are for both the international and local market, and producing their own juice concentrate is in the pipeline. He added, however, that the aim is that all apple farmers in the area should participate and be part of the project.
“This harvest aims to showcase the milestones under the department of agriculture, economic development and small businesses and RIA partnership, which is to mobilise various industry role players. It can further add value to the Thabo Mofutsanyana apple production hub and provide alternative streams of profit,” he said.
Remmoho Apple Juice Concentrate (Pty) Ltd was established solely for the production of apple juice concentrate which is currently in the project development phase.
Sekhoto said the aim is to take the whole value chain of apple production and ensure that communities around the farming area are benefitting from the project.
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