Targeted investment is transforming emerging agriculture in the Hex River Valley. Siyazama Klipland Boerdery in De Doorns has achieved record-breaking production growth, delivering 164 000 grape cartons this season.
The minister of agriculture, economic development and tourism in the Western Cape, Dr Ivan Meyer, visited the table grape farm to highlight the power of agricultural investment. The visit was aimed at improving emerging farmers’ businesses, creating lasting business opportunities, partnerships and investments.
The enterprise has achieved record-breaking growth in production since 2021 and currently has 23,71 hectares planted with vineyards out of 43 hectares. The plan is to cultivate the full 43 hectares.
In 2021, the farm produced about 68 443 cartons of grapes compared to the year 2025, which had a massive growth in grape production of grapes that ranges at 150 000 cartons. As the years go by, there is massive growth in grape production and harvesting; this year they produced over 164 000 cartons of grapes.
Investment leads to growth, job creation
Alec Abrahams, a shareholder of Siyazama Klipland Boerdery, said many people have experience working on grape farms in the De Doorns community, and some had parents who worked on those farms. Now they are using the experience they have to turn agriculture into a business enterprise and employ the community.
“I am happy that our farm has created 25 permanent jobs and approximately 120 seasonal jobs. In essence, this puts food on the table for many families,” Abrahams said.
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The Western Cape department of agriculture’s Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (Casp) and Casidra investment have assisted the grape farm enterprise to reach its goal. They issued about R2 million to Siyazama Klipland Boerdery to tackle the company’s challenges.
“In addition, a 6.8-ton truck has been provided to the farm to help in stacking the farm products and transport them. This has improved the farm’s logistics.
“The collaboration of these two institutions benefited the farm in improving their irrigation system and helped in installing smart irrigation technology to save efficient water usage and making sure the rate of production increases,” the Western Cape government said.
Meyer addressed the significance of supporting emerging farmers by investing and offering financial assistance.
“When we invest in emerging farmers, we are not only investing in vineyards and infrastructure; we are investing in people, livelihoods and the future of agriculture in the Western Cape. Our goal must be to help farmers move from potential to production, and from production to sustainable growth,” he said.
Collaboration drives success
Chief executive officer of Casidra, Dr Keith du Plessis, said the importance of partnerships and investments between the government, organisations and farmers ensures agricultural and economic development occurs.
“Through continued partnerships and targeted investment, Casidra remains committed to empowering emerging farmers and strengthening agricultural development in the Western Cape.
“Our role is to help turn development investment into practical support that enables farmers to become more productive, sustainable and economically viable,” he said.
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