The Stoneyfield 
Farming Projects in eMaxesibeni, Eastern Cape, is among 73 cooperatives that have benefitted from a multimillion-rand investment by the Umzimvubu Local Municipality for the ploughing of yellow maize.
The municipality invested close to R7 million to support farming cooperatives in 28 wards through the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Zuko Canca is a member of Stoneyfield Farming Projects, which started in 2012 but was formally registered in 2019. The cooperative has seven members.
“When the municipality started the programme in 2023, we were already farming yellow maize from 2022, among other crops,” he explained.
As part of the programme, Canca said the municipality supports the cooperative with agricultural inputs including 20 bags of seeds, soil preparation and maize planting.
“When we started the cooperative, we noticed that a lot of land was lying fallow. We approached the landowners and our local chief to ask to use the land for farming and it was granted,” he explained.
In 2017, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation granted the cooperative R500 000, which it used to buy equipment.
So far, the cooperative has managed to employ five permanent workers. It also employs a total of 100 seasonal workers on a rotational basis throughout the year.
Municipal Manager Tobela Nota said: “The farmer production support units were registered as cooperatives through the assistance of the department and ward councillors, with the aim of enabling commercial production and providing support for a period of three years.”
Harvesting is currently nearing completion, with each cooperative anticipating yields of approximately 700 to 900 bags of maize, which are supplied to agricultural buyers such as Kokstad Milling, Farmers Pride, EG Feeds and local retailers.
For more information about the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, visit www.umzimvubu.gov.za
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