Asparagus production brings hope for Free State farmers

Asparagus production has the potential to significantly improve the financial position of developing farmers in the eastern Free State, according to Piet Potgieter, manager of development agriculture at VKB. Speaking at a recent information day near Rosendal, he said that the New Farmer Development and Partnership project between VKB, the Jobs Fund, the Grain Farmer Development Association, and commercial asparagus producer Denmar, would go a long way to help developing asparagus farmers become commercial producers.

“Although new farmers realised good profits per hectare with grain production, total profit per farm remained insufficient to provide critical reinvestment and sustain family livelihoods,” he said. In 2016, asparagus was identified as a high-value crop that could increase economies of scale for developing farmers. The partnership thus enabled farmers to gain access to additional land through long-term lease agreements. Production sites had been established in QwaQwa, where four producers farmed on 60ha, while a further 75ha had been provided to five farmers near Rosendal.

A partnership was also formed between the farmers, VKB and Denmar to allow these producers access to local retailers, as well as export markets, through the company’s extensive distribution and marketing network.

“Instead of farmers being contract growers, the partnership involves true integration of farmers into the value chain, where prices are derived directly from final retail prices,” said Grahame Osler, Denmar’s marketing director.

Potgieter said asparagus was a labour-intensive crop with the potential to double on-farm income and create 200 seasonal jobs. While the establishment costs had been as high as R65 000/ha, asparagus had a lifespan of up to 13 years.

The farmers involved in the partnership had received GLOBALGAP accreditation during the first harvesting season. “It means that this group of farmers succeeded in producing asparagus that meet international standards such as safety, hygiene, fair labour practices and environment-friendly production, supported by an internationally recognised traceability system,” Osler said. – Annelie Coleman