Blueberries, known for their specific cultivation requirements and the extensive compliance audits needed to access export markets, have found an unexpected home on the peripheries of mines in South Africa, where land and labor are in ample supply. Pan African Resources, in its initiative to uplift the community around its Barberton mines in Mpumalanga, found the solution in blueberries, leading to the establishment of Barberton Blue in 2021, in collaboration with Primocane Capital. The farm, spanning 14ha, employs 22 permanent and 232 seasonal workers, aligning with the mine's job creation mandate.
Despite the challenges faced, including severe weather impacts reducing yields significantly, farm manager Axola Qongqo and his team are adapting practices to mitigate future risks. Efforts to optimize the harvest season and improve crop resilience are underway, with a shift towards later harvesting and the selection of cold-tolerant varieties. Qongqo's expertise in blueberry cultivation shines through in his approach to minimizing inputs and maximizing efficiency, with a focus on precision irrigation and fertigation, alongside strategic pruning and pest management practices.
The farm's infrastructure supports these practices, with substrate bags under shade netting facilitating controlled growth conditions. This setup, while limiting the lifespan of the bushes compared to soil planting, suits the rapid turnover of varieties driven by market demand for newer, tastier fruit. Pollination strategies and careful timing of nutritional and protective applications are critical to achieving the desired quality and yield.
With a stable market and the potential for a good return on investment, blueberry cultivation presents a promising avenue for agricultural development in South Africa, despite the challenges of competition and compliance. Barberton Blue's integrated approach, from cultivation to packing, underscores the potential for success in this sector, with a focus on quality, efficiency, and community benefit.
Source: Farmer's Weekly