The farmers of Khuale Primary Co-operative based in Protea Glen will reap the benefits of the seeds they have sown by hosting its first market on March 3.
The market will start at 9 am and end at 2 pm in Protea Glen extension 4. It will see organic vegetables such as pumpkins, sweet potatoes, green beans and spinach to name a few being sold at very competitive prices according to the co-operative’s treasurer, Abram Lebelo.
The subsistence farmers have had to contend with both man and nature’s forces but have prevailed. Some of their crops were destroyed the hail storm that hit parts of Johannesburg in December 2017 and the heatwave that happened in January.
The farmers are also allegedly plagued by thieves who steal their crops and a rat infestation.
“In the long term, we are hoping to grow our co-operative and supply local supermarkets with fresh produce that is grown in our own backyard. We also hope to get more youth involved because we are getting older and we don’t want to die without sharing our knowledge,” Lebelo said.
The 16-member co-operative has assisted many members of the community since its inception and hopes to continue assisting more, including unemployed youth.
“We as unemployed women and mothers decided to take matters into our own hands because there are no jobs, so farming is helping us help our kids,” said Eunice Phiri, one of the farmers of Khuale Primary Co-operative.
“We are asking the public to come support us so we can grow our little farm, we are unemployed but we want to show people of Protea Glen that we are trying to put bread on our tables,” said Mable Ziqubu, chairlady of Khuale Primary Co-operative.
Ziqubu hopes the market will be the first of many and will eventually attract investors who can help them grow their farm.
