Jozini Farmers Secure Market Boost Through New Bean Supply Deal
Farmers in Jozini are looking ahead with renewed optimism after the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) secured market access for their produce.
The breakthrough follows agreements between the department and several agribusinesses, under which local farmers committed to producing 1,000 tons of dry beans monthly. The agreements were formalised at Nondabuya Community Hall, where MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa oversaw the first 10-ton consignment of beans being dispatched to a KwaDukuza-based company.
Three additional agribusinesses have also joined the initiative, supporting nearly 300 farmers through the Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET) programme. RASET aims to tackle persistent issues such as limited funding and poor access to stable markets, which have long restricted historically disadvantaged producers in grain, crop, and livestock farming.
According to kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, building strong links between small-scale farmers and agribusinesses is essential to boost the local economy. She noted that the programme will also provide training in financial literacy and quality grading to help farmers professionalise their operations, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to supply the national market and eventually export.
Local farmer Sabisile Ndimande explained that many farmers were struggling with buyers who offered as little as R950 to R1,000 for a 50kg bag, which is not enough to sustain families. Ndimande added that farmers welcomed the department’s intervention, as it would bring them closer to reliable markets and reduce the risk of food insecurity.
Ingose Dry Bean chairperson, Mandla Gumede, highlighted that declining sales and low prices have made it difficult to employ workers or sustain growth. He pointed out that without co-operatives, local farmers remained invisible while imported beans dominated the market. Gumede said farmers had begun staggering harvest times to manage supply more effectively, though some continued to withhold stock in hopes of better prices.
Farmers also raised concerns about using outdated sorting methods and falling victim to unscrupulous middlemen who exploit their vulnerability. In response, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa acknowledged these challenges and indicated that government support would extend to addressing such practices.
Despite the difficulties, farmers in Jozini remain hopeful that new market opportunities secured through RASET will open the door to growth, stability, and fairer prices.
The breakthrough follows agreements between the department and several agribusinesses, under which local farmers committed to producing 1,000 tons of dry beans monthly. The agreements were formalised at Nondabuya Community Hall, where MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa oversaw the first 10-ton consignment of beans being dispatched to a KwaDukuza-based company.
Three additional agribusinesses have also joined the initiative, supporting nearly 300 farmers through the Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET) programme. RASET aims to tackle persistent issues such as limited funding and poor access to stable markets, which have long restricted historically disadvantaged producers in grain, crop, and livestock farming.
According to kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, building strong links between small-scale farmers and agribusinesses is essential to boost the local economy. She noted that the programme will also provide training in financial literacy and quality grading to help farmers professionalise their operations, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to supply the national market and eventually export.
Local farmer Sabisile Ndimande explained that many farmers were struggling with buyers who offered as little as R950 to R1,000 for a 50kg bag, which is not enough to sustain families. Ndimande added that farmers welcomed the department’s intervention, as it would bring them closer to reliable markets and reduce the risk of food insecurity.
Ingose Dry Bean chairperson, Mandla Gumede, highlighted that declining sales and low prices have made it difficult to employ workers or sustain growth. He pointed out that without co-operatives, local farmers remained invisible while imported beans dominated the market. Gumede said farmers had begun staggering harvest times to manage supply more effectively, though some continued to withhold stock in hopes of better prices.
Farmers also raised concerns about using outdated sorting methods and falling victim to unscrupulous middlemen who exploit their vulnerability. In response, kaMadlopha-Mthethwa acknowledged these challenges and indicated that government support would extend to addressing such practices.
Despite the difficulties, farmers in Jozini remain hopeful that new market opportunities secured through RASET will open the door to growth, stability, and fairer prices.
