A Makhado-based agriculture outfit, the Vhumatshelo Crop Farming Cooperative, has received a R450 000 grant from the Limpopo Department of Social Development (DSD), to further grow their operations.

The cooperative was recognised after performing well in their category in the yearly Eskom Business Investment Competition (BIC) awards.

Specialising in carrots and cabbage, it was started by five unemployed youths in 2012 and were named second runner-up in the BIC's agriculture and agroprocessing sector in September.

Prior to entering the competition, the cooperative had applied for funding in a project run by the DSD, looking to assist women- and youth-run businesses promoting food security and fighting unemployment through their businesses.

Vhumatshelo chairperson Lutendo Ramahala noted that participating in the BIC helped them in their quest for growth and to be taken seriously as a business in the agricultural sector. “Being recognised by the BIC helped our case as it demonstrated that we have a good foundation as a business and that we are making a difference in our local economy.”

Vhumatshelo will be injecting the funds back into their business as they look to improve their operations, including sinking a water borehole, as well as buying a generator, a water tank, protective clothing for employees and office equipment. They will also be arranging some capacity building training workshops for employees.

“We missed out on some good contracts before as we didn’t have the requisite capacity, but this grant is going to help us take our operations to a higher level. We will also be hiring five new employees and adding butternut to our production.

“We are also looking at securing a contract with NTK to provide them with sugar beans. This will all be in addition to the contract we currently have with the Vhembe Fresh Produce Market,” said Ramahala.