TOURVEST INVESTS IN RURAL FARMERS THROUGH NEW AGRICULTURAL HUB IN MPUMALANGA
Rural small-scale farmers living near the Kruger National Park are set to benefit from new economic opportunities following the handover of the Khomanani Agricultural Hub, an initiative aimed at connecting local agricultural producers with the formal tourism market.
The project, driven by Tourvest in partnership with government, SANParks and agricultural development specialists, seeks to create sustainable livelihoods by linking rural farmers directly to commercial supply chains.
Through a significant investment by Tourvest, the initiative aims to unlock the potential of agricultural infrastructure established by government while creating a reliable market for locally produced fresh vegetables and other agricultural products. The produce will be supplied to Tourvest's lodges, restaurants and retail operations, opening up a valuable commercial opportunity for participating farmers.
The hub will initially support 100 smallholder farmers from communities surrounding the Kruger National Park and Numbi Gate, including Huntington (Hunzukani), Marbarhule, Somerset, Belfast and Nkambeni, as well as neighbouring villages.
Although many farmers in these communities are already producing quality agricultural products, they have struggled to access formal markets due to challenges such as limited production volumes, transportation and distribution logistics.
To address these challenges, Tourvest has appointed U CAN GROW, an agricultural development organisation with experience in establishing and managing similar facilities across South Africa, to oversee the hub and provide support to participating farmers.
By consolidating agricultural produce at a central facility, farmers will be better positioned to meet commercial buyers' requirements regarding quality, consistency and supply volumes.
Representing the Department of Agriculture District Office, Nelisiwe Muxwane encouraged farmers to align their production with market demand to ensure long-term participation in formal supply chains.
“I encourage farmers to align their crop and vegetable production with market demand to ensure sustainable participation in formal markets. We commend Tourvest for its commitment to creating market access opportunities that support the growth and development of rural small-scale farmers,” said Muxwane.
The partnership with SANParks is also expected to create additional procurement opportunities from other operators within the Kruger National Park. In the longer term, the initiative could expand into retail markets, institutional procurement and government nutrition and school-feeding programmes.
At full operational capacity, the project has the potential to generate approximately 100 direct jobs on participating farms, between 10 and 20 permanent jobs at the hub, and a further 200 indirect jobs through expanded agricultural activities and local supply chains.
This is expected to support more than 300 livelihoods while contributing to enterprise and supplier development, skills transfer, socio-economic development and community empowerment.
Tourvest Group Chief Executive Luvhengo Neswiswi said the initiative demonstrates how partnerships between government and the private sector can create meaningful economic opportunities for communities surrounding major tourism destinations.
“This initiative is about creating pathways to prosperity. Government has invested in the infrastructure, and Tourvest is investing to unlock its full economic potential. Communities living alongside world-class tourism destinations should share meaningfully in the opportunities they create,” said Neswiswi.
He added that the project goes beyond purchasing agricultural produce, as it seeks to help local farmers establish sustainable businesses, create employment and become active participants in the tourism economy.
Senior Manager for Enterprise and Supplier Development at SANParks, Dr Paul Mpye, said conservation and community development should complement each other.
He explained that connecting local farmers to formal markets would create tangible economic opportunities for neighbouring communities while strengthening local supply chains.
SANParks will further support the hub through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, focusing on strengthening the facility, building farmers' capacity and promoting sustainable business growth.
According to Mpye, the initiative has the potential to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism extend beyond the boundaries of the national park, contributing to sustainable livelihoods, job creation and enterprise development in surrounding communities.
The Traditional Councils of Jongilanga, Hoxane and Mhaule also welcomed Tourvest's investment, expressing appreciation for the opportunities created for rural producers through the tourism industry.
Traditional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local farmers and ensuring that communities benefit from the economic opportunities arising from the initiative.
The Khomanani Agricultural Hub is expected to serve as a practical model for rural economic development, demonstrating how the tourism industry can contribute to agricultural growth, employment creation and long-term community empowerment.
Through the collaboration between government, Tourvest, SANParks and U CAN GROW, local farmers will have an opportunity to move beyond small-scale production and become suppliers within an established commercial tourism market.
Neswiswi further revealed that the initiative represents an important milestone in Tourvest's broader social investment ambitions, particularly ahead of the planned establishment of the Tourvest Foundation, which is expected to be formally launched in 2027.
The Foundation is expected to focus on five key areas: quality education, environmental sustainability, community development, skills development and responsible tourism.
Further details about the Foundation will be communicated in due course, Neswiswi said.