KwaTembe Fruit and Vegetables

Based on a dialogue between TechnoServe and Geest PLC, an area was identified within the Coastal Cashews estate, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, as a potential site for growing Yellow Cayenne pineapples (MDII cultivar), which Geest requires to meet its contractual obligations to Woolworths and Marks & Spencer’s.                         

TechnoServe discussed the opportunity with the Coastal Cashews Farmers'

Co-operative (CCFC) who, eager for further growth, took up the opportunity to set up a pineapple and vegetable farm: KwaTembe Fruit & Vegetables (KFV). TechnoServe assisted the CCFC to develop the business plan, financial model and crop rotation scheme, secure an off-take agreement with Geest, secure grant money from financial and donor institutions and appoint a farm manager. 

Delays in getting the required irrigation system in place have caused much of the project to be put on hold, and at the moment the main activity taking place is the propagation of pineapple planting material.

Nevertheless, the prospects for KFV to become a highly successful and sustainable high-margin fruit and vegetable farm remain excellent.