FAST FACTS
Producer Gerhard Meyer says that pomegranate trees make an excellent investment, producing the highest yield per litre of water in his area of the Klein Karoo.
The crop, he adds, can transform the region by creating many new direct and indirect jobs.
The establishment costs of pomegranate trees are relatively low, and break-even is reached by year four or five.
In March 2021, Farmer's Weekly reported on how Gerhard Meyer transformed the farm he inherited near Oudtshoorn in 2008 by building a dam to store his water allocation. He also installed a desalination plant to make the water more suitable for fruit production and converted 15ha of lucerne under flood irrigation to 40ha of pomegranate under drip irrigation.
In addition, he changed the farm's name from Langverwacht to Celebratio, in remembrance of the happy times he spent there as a child and in honour of his father, grandfather and other relatives who managed to keep the farm in the family despite severe hardships.
Since then, he has established an independent pomegranate brand that will enable other farmers to cash in on production of this crop in the Klein Karoo.
"Pomegranates present the best return on investment in terms of land and water usage of all crops in this part of the Klein Karoo. The yield per litre of water is second to none," says Meyer.
He adds that the crop also has excellent job creation potential, with 1,5 jobs being created for every hectare planted.
"Establishing a pomegranate industry here will breathe new life into the job market. The Oudtshoorn area is currently sitting with an unemployment rate of 80%. Many jobs were lost when local farmers downscaled because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, avian influenza, and the onset of the drought about seven years ago.
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 19 August 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 19 August 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.
