Siboshwa Cooperative

Siboshwa Co-operative is a sugarcane farm based within the Nkomazi District of Mpumalanga.

The current beneficiaries of Siboshwa Co-op include 216 members who will benefit through profit sharing. In addition, Siboshwa Co-operative is expected to create approximately 30 full-time jobs once the first two sections are fully developed with sugarcane.

 TechnoServe supports Siboshwa Co-operative by training its executive, helping to develop a business plan and financial model to access finance and hiring an experienced “shadow farm manager” (or mentor) to support the farm manager. TechnoServe also helps identify markets.  Through TechnoServe’s efforts, TSB has granted Siboshwa Co-op a sugarcane quota for 110ha. 

TechnoServe assisted the Cooperative to raise R585 900 worth of infrastructure capital from the National Development Agency for land preparation and production costs and secured operating finance loan of R790 000 from ABSA for developing the land over two years. TechnoServe has provided a farm mentor and business advisor to support and develop the necessary skills to manage the farm.