Hortfin was launched in October last year to create jobs and accelerate transformation in South Africa’s deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries. Michael Brinkhuis, CEO of Hortfin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the fund and the progress it has made so far.
YOU JOINED HORTFIN AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THEN?
My father used to be a farmworker at a fruit tree nursery in Groot Drakenstein, so I basically grew up in the industry, working most of my school holidays on the farm. The experience gave me a passion for agriculture and also a yearning to empower people in the industry.
After school, I completed a horticultural diploma at what is now known as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), after which I upgraded to a BTech degree. I later obtained a master’s degree in agricultural systems management at Stellenbosch University while lecturing at CPUT.
Career-wise, I spent almost 10 years at Kaap Agri and another four-and-a-half years as the CEO of Casidra, which renders project management services to Western Cape government departments.
TELL US MORE ABOUT HORTFIN.
Hortfin is a R600-million, blended funding scheme initiated by the South African deciduous fruit industry with support from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and co-funded by National Treasury’s Jobs Fund and the Land Bank. It aims to provide innovative and comprehensive financing and support systems in a manner that promotes job creation, transformation and sustainability within the deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries.
WHAT IS EACH PARTY’S CONTRIBUTION OR ROLE IN THE FUND?
Treasury gave R200 million via its Jobs Fund, matched by R300 million from the Land Bank and R100 million from the deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries.
Hortfin, under leadership of a board of directors representing various stakeholders, will evaluate and approve projects, while the Land Bank will manage the loan book.
HOW DID THE FUND ORIGINATE?
Esta historia es de la edición May 03, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 03, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
