Moyahabo Mabeba
LIMPOPO – A GROUP of agricultural women from Botlokwa area, north of Polokwane, jumped with joy after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the national department of agriculture, forestry and fishery (DAFF) and Tiger Brands, one of the biggest consumer food manufacturers in the country.
In line with this MoU, Tiger Brands will buy certain crops from smallholders.
The Remmogo Farming Group at the heart of this rural neighborhood is hoping to benefit from the relationship between the department and food producers.
The cooperative, which was formed a decade ago, has planted a variety of fruits and vegetables and sold their products to local markets, ordinary people and play a critical role in school feeding schemes in the area.
Ngoakwana Ramaboea, the group’s chairperson, echoed the general happiness about the cooperation deal. “We are very excited about the MoU and hope we can be among the beneficiaries of this agreement. We will find the relevant information on this venture and grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Peter Matlare, Tiger Brands CEO, said at the signing of the MoU that the deal will provide business with an increased supply of local raw material and benefit both the growth of the agriculture sector and rural economy.
He believed the partnership will also help with skills development and poverty alleviation.
“It has the potential not only to raise productivity, enhance food security and promote rural development, but also to create jobs outside of farming in both service and production sectors,” Matlare explained.
He added his company will also partner with local communities to establish farming cooperatives as well as providing technical and financial support.
Dr Jemina Moeng, acting chief director for food security at DAFF, explained that the technical aspects of the agreement still needed to be finalised and a working group had been established for this purpose.
“Tiger Brands has indicated that they are procuring 1.9 million tons of agricultural commodities per year, 63% of which is sourced locally,” Moeng said.
Moeng added that the company’s tonnage of locally sourced commodities was likely to increase.
“The first phase which involves the supply of tomatoes, sorghum, beans, and sunflower will begin immediately.”
Moeng described the MoU stage as an overarching agreement in which the first phase will run over three years and reviewed once completed.
The parties were now in the process of signing a service level agreement which will see implementation in Limpopo, Western Cape, North West and Gauteng provinces.
Senzeni Zokwana, DAFF minister, said the Tiger Brands partnership came as the department worked to increase production through the Fetsa Tlala Food Production Initiative, which aims to increase food accessibility.
