Please be informed that the ComMark programme came to an end on 31 December 2009. Should you have any queries or need further assistance , please contact the relevant sector staff member(s):
- Agribusiness Sector Specialist - Lucille Gavera (+27 83 290 1260) or Mike De Klerk (+27 82 452 7749)
- Textiles & Apparel Sector Specialist - Andy Salm (+353 8623 88523)
- Tourism Sector Specialist - Wouter Schalken (+264 8120 89650) or click here for information on ongoing tourism projects in Southern Africa
Emerging Farmer Hatchery Project: Opening Day
Background:
One of the major limiting factors affecting emerging small-scale farmers in the Eastern Cape is the lack of (reliable) access to good quality, reasonably priced, agricultural inputs. Good quality inputs are often hard to come by, or very expensive throughout the Eastern Cape, which increases the cost of production, making farmers less competitive. Lima, within its ComMark-funded Business Linkages and Input Supply [link to project] programme aims to overcome this barrier by connecting farmers with agri-business suppliers.
Hatchery Project:
The Hatchery Project is a joint venture between Lima, Teba Development and the KZNPI. Gold Fields and KZNPI have co-funded the construction of a hatchery, which will supply 1,500 day-old chicks at cost price per week to an entrepreneur, Nominiko Tshayisho, who is based in Lusikisiki and has received poultry training from KZNPI. ComMark has funded the facilitation costs as well as business skills and mentorship to Nominiko. She will also have the support of an agricultural facilitator based in Lusikisiki, funded by Gold Fields.
Market and sustainability:
In terms of her market, it is anticipated that the demand for day-old chicks will be considerable. Cash flow predictions and forecasts indicate that the business will be profitable, successful and sustainable in the long term.
Linkages:
This project represents an excellent example of multi-organisational co-operation between corporate and foreign donors, commodity organisations, NGOs and local emerging business in the provision of long-term sustainable solutions to poverty relief.
Phase II:
The second phase of this project will be implemented in a year’s time. It will consist of the replication of the hatchery presently based in Pietermaritzburg, in Lusikisiki. Nominiko will then manage this hatchery and generate her own supply of day-old chicks. During this period, the phase 1 project will be closely monitored, providing valuable information for the planning of the second phase.
