Adaptability And Efficiency Help Tunnel Nursery Thrive

Ezigro Seedlings in Mpumalanga grows a wide range of seedlings all year round, thanks to resource-efficient tunnel production in an ideal climate. The tunnels provide another advantage: they allow for rapid adaptation to a changing market. Lindi Botha spoke to CEO Anthony Baird.

- Lindi Botha

Being able to alter direction in line with market demand is key to success in business. Ezigro Seedlings in White River, Mpumalanga, has seen many shifts in recent years as farmers switch crops to remain profitable. By staying abreast of industry trends and utilising the versatility and efficiency of tunnel farming, the company has been able to service this ever-changing market with quality seedlings.

The nursery was bought in 2002 as a going concern with 3ha under tunnels. Today it has expanded to 12ha on multiple sites in Mpumalanga and one nursery in the Western Cape. Ezigro supplies a wide range of seedlings, from vegetables to macadamia, eucalyptus and pine trees, as well as clonal trees for the avocado and forestry industries.

Vegetable production peaks in winter, and forestry peaks in summer, ensuring year-round production.

Anthony Baird, CEO of Ezigro Seedlings, explains that while the business focused initially on vegetables, huge demand for forestry seedlings in Tzaneen, Limpopo, prompted the company to expand and cater for this. Today, Ezigro produces 36 million forestry seedlings and 12 million clones a year, which together make up 50% of the business.

Vegetables comprise a further 20%, and macadamia and avocado trees 30%. This translates to 80 million vegetable plants, 180 000 macadamia seedlings, 80 000 avocado seedlings and 60 000 avocado clones a year.

GROWTH IN MACADAMIAS

Baird says that many forestry plantations are being converted to macadamias, prompting the company to gradually increase its macadamia component.

“We added macadamias to our offering in 2016 and avocados in 2017. Many of our forestry growers started asking for macadamia trees, so it was a natural progression.” He notes, however, that the demand for forestry seedlings has not decreased as yet.