Government's date production expansion on hold in favour of water security for Namaqua residents
The Northern Cape's Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is determined to expand on its date market foothold which could make it the largest producer in South Africa. The development of the state owned Henkries Dates farm forms part of the Namaqua Irrigation Development which is worth R1,5 billion with a potential of creating 3, 447 permanent jobs. The markets are salivating, however, government to government talks in relation to the anticipated construction of a dam 50km upstream of Vioolsdrift and downstream of Henkries ought to unfold soonest. Thabo Mothibi visited the plantation, offices and supermarkets...
It is just after 9 o'clock and Springbok's Spar Super Market is abuzz with activity as we do our security checks to meet up with all-buyer Mr Cobus Farmer. Disappointingly, there is no trace of Henkries Dates in the shelves but then our discomfort draws roaring laughter from our host. “No my friend, my Henkries Dates were sold out three weeks ago, please give us more, we would really like to procure more and that means above the 50 boxes or 700 kg for this season,” enthused Mr Farmer, remedying our apprehension with ease.
Evidently, we come to discover what is
said to be a global phenomenon of major supermarkets sourcing fresh produce and other products by giving preference to local farmer s and sensitizing consumers to this. “We have had many clients enquiring about the availability of Henkries Dates. They ask for it for they know the brand packaging thereof but unfortunately we are sold out at this stage. Our procurement policy is indeed premised on favourably considering local products in the interest of boosting the local economy.”
Mr Farmer magnified Spar's loyalty by pointing out raisins in packaging that one would deem to be from “survivalist” small-scale farmers. “If the quality is good we source it. But then we might have to work around assisting with the branding at some stage.” On Henkries Dates he had this to say; “there's been a massive improvement, I find the packaging to be quite appealing hence our clients can easily identify their product on the shelves. How I wish we could sell them all year round,” emphasized Mr Farmer with a natural aura of diplomacy.
It is a value-chain reversal, from markets to the farms instead of from farm-gate to the markets. After that short visit and energized from having sourced Mr Farmer's positive outlook for free, me and my compadre hit the N7 for the Henkries Dates plantation that lies off the stretch to Vioolsdrif from Springbok. The first portion of the farm is comprised of 3000 date palm trees adjacent to the pack-house with another
1000 separately lined up close to the Orange River that meanders towards the Atlantic Ocean. Forlornly, we start to fathom the fate of the 1000 set to be uprooted in favour of South Africa and Namibia's water security interests in our discussion with staff members at the pack-house.
We witnessed en route to Henkries headways in the R1 billion Namaqua Water Supply Scheme that entails in part the installation of a new pipeline that stretches over 54km and set to result in
80 000 residents of the district being water secured. And now in another anticipated development in the water security flow of the Department of Water and Sanitation; is the anticipated construction of a massive dam that could affect settlements such as Henkries and Goodhouse. It became water clear to us that Henkries Dates and other irrigation developments will be compromised. On the upside, all of the arable land to be washed up is state land and with prospects of alternative state land being allocated.
It appears little information has reached the likes of Simon Waterboer whom we chatted to along the rugged 4x4 trail leading to the Henkriesmond pre- sedimentation facility. “Please tell Leon
October, I want machinery, I want to plough the land and attain my better life. My father-in-law used to produce butternut, mealies and other produce here. Why can't the government help me plough the land when I am their neighbour and surrounded by their date trees?” pleaded Mr Waterboer with visible signs of having taken strain from living at the extreme fringes of society.
The Leon October being referred to is the Namaqua district manager of the provincial Department of Agriculture and his first take was the relocation spectre. “In relation to our high value crops linked to the Namaqua Irrigation Development, we have 30hectares (ha) date production plans to add unto the existing 60ha for Henkries but now uncertainty has crept in. This is a bit of a market upset as it will take us two to three years to turn the desert into a farm again should we find alternative land. Our people are in need of a reliable water sources hence we have to embrace any other initiative”.
“Our irrigation developments to be affected will include por tions of Henkries, Goodhouse, Kabees, Abbasas, Ramansdrift and other areas.” What about the plight of Mr Waterboer? “We have provided him with sufficient water for his small-scale enterprise and he knows whenever he needs our machinery we do extend a helping hand,” said Mr October.
