Diversification Drives The Mahela Group
FarmBiz|November 2019
The Mahela Group was last year recognized as the 2018 Agricultural Writers of South Africa’s Farmer of the Year in Limpopo. Earlier this year FarmBiz was invited as part of a media delegation to visit the Mahela Group’s farms in Ohrigstad and Letsitele.
Ursula Human
Diversification Drives The Mahela Group

The enterprise is the epitome of success and sustainability. The name, Mahela, means ‘quick, no-nonsense’ in Tsonga and was a name given to BJ Vorster, founder of the group. He was known in the area for his no-nonsense attitude, which quickly became evident in his business practices.

Mahela has remained at the forefront of the fruit industry by focusing on what they do best – citrus production. That said, they are driven by diversification and have invested in a number of other crops and companies. A key contributor to the success of the group, which is currently run by the third generation of Vorster's, is their investment in the latest technology.

Crops and companies

As a result of Limpopo’s diverse landscapes and microclimates, Mahela can grow a large variety of crops. Citrus, which covers a total of 1 460ha, is their main crop, with oranges, grapefruit, and lemons covering 1 289ha. The remaining 212ha is dedicated to soft citrus, with a further 61ha currently under development.

Their other fruit crops include bananas (189ha), avocados (186ha with another 93ha under development), macadamias (12,29ha), litchis (10ha) and golden kiwis (2,5ha). As the latter has shown enormous potential in the Chinese market, Mahela has plans to develop a further 5ha to supply this market. The latest crop to adorn their orchards is cherries (6ha).

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2019 من FarmBiz.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2019 من FarmBiz.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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