Lady Frere Youth Farmers Turn R400,000 Boost Into Growing Agricultural Success

A youth-owned farming cooperative in Vaalbank near Lady Frere is expanding its commercial farming ambitions after receiving a R399,796 incentive from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) to install a much-needed irrigation system.

The funding, provided through the ECDC-managed Imvaba Cooperative Fund, has helped Feeda Nathi Primary Agricultural Cooperative strengthen production on its 50-hectare farm and reduce its dependence on unpredictable rainfall.

Owned by five young farmers aged between 26 and 33, the cooperative has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in backyard gardens in 2018. Formalised in 2020, the business now produces crops including cabbage, butternut, beetroot, large white pumpkins and green squash.

The cooperative supplies produce to several established markets, including Pick n Pay in Komani, SPAR Dordrecht, Umfundisi in Komani, and the East London Fresh Produce Market.

Beyond farming, Feeda Nathi has become an important source of employment in the area, creating jobs for 12 permanent workers and 18 seasonal workers.

ECDC Acting Manager for Financial Incentives and Business Support, Fikile Mzinyati, said the cooperative’s journey demonstrates what can happen when determination is matched with opportunity.

“When jobs disappeared and uncertainty arrived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they did not wait for opportunity to knock. They planted it,” said Mzinyati.

“The investment for the procurement of an irrigation scheme unlocked more than water. It strengthened production capacity and allowed the cooperative to move from survival farming toward commercial ambition.”

Feeda Nathi Chairperson Siyamthanda Gatyeni described the irrigation system as a game changer for the business.

“That support made a huge difference. Irrigation is one of the most important things when growing crops. Before that, we depended heavily on rainfall and it cost us a lot. Now we can water our crops with certainty and consistency,” he said.

The cooperative has also achieved South African Good Agricultural Practices (SA-GAP) certification, allowing it to meet formal market requirements and compete more effectively in the agricultural sector.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand its irrigation infrastructure, acquire a larger tractor and additional planting equipment, and invest in cold storage and alternative energy solutions to protect produce and improve efficiency.

Gatyeni believes young people have an important role to play in the future of agriculture.

“There is a myth that young people are not interested in agriculture. Yet in Vaalbank we are proving something different, that youth and agriculture may just be one of the boldest business combinations in the Eastern Cape,” he said.

The cooperative has also diversified its operations by adding a logistics division that transports iron ore.

Mzinyati said supporting youth-owned agricultural enterprises contributes to long-term economic growth and sustainability.

“Investing in youth-owned agricultural businesses is an investment in a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous future. It creates opportunities for skills transfer and helps strengthen agricultural value chains for generations to come,” he said.