The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture is on a mission to level up in deciduous fruit farming. To do this, the province is looking to the Western Cape to explore collaboration and research-sharing opportunities. South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry consists mainly of pome fruit (apples and pears), stone fruit (apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums) as well as table grapes. Most of these fruits are produced in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
Siphokazi Ndudane, the head of the department for the Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reform, said they were exploring ways in which their province could increase its deciduous fruit footprint: “The are several similarities between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape in those commodities, so we are looking at how best we can foster collaboration between the two provinces at a provincial government and institutional level. Our aim is to come together, share expertise and research work done by two provinces. The commodities in our province are doing well, however, we think there is space for growth and development, especially for farmers.”
Source: foodformzansi.co.za