R 9.3258
R 11.392
R 7.395
Agriculture
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Agriculture The Cacadu District Municipality (CDM) is characterised by a narrow, low-lying coastal land strip from Storms River to Port Alfred, prominent mountains and Karoo landscapes inland. The catchment areas in the District are the Kouga Mountains in the South and the Sneeuberg Mountains north of Graaff-Reinet. Altitudes in the District range from 0 m and 821 m along the coast to between as high as 2502 m inland around Graaff-Reinet. Climatic conditions in the CDM vary from mild conditions with moderate rainfall along the coast to harsh conditions with low rainfall in the Karoo. The average annual rainfall is 300 mm. Rainfall however varies with the coastal belt experiencing between 500 and 700 mm rain annually. Despite the arid interior, the Sundays and Fish Rivers support intensive irrigated farming and are fed by water from the Orange River under the Orange River Irrigation Scheme. The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the Cacadu economy, contributing in excess of R 690 million to the district’s total GDP in 2008 and generating more than R306 million in export earnings for the area in 2008. Furthermore, the sector employs 27% of the work force and is the single largest private sector employer in the Cacadu District. Average farm sizes in the CDM vary between 100 ha and 660 ha. (CDM Area Based Plan,2007)
Currently, the CDM’s dominant agricultural products are livestock; particularly goats, sheep and cattle; and crops; chiefly fruit and vegetables. The Cacadu District is the largest producer of mohair in South Africa, having produced 2.9 million kg of mohair in 2008. This was 52% of total national production and was valued at R206 857 000. The coastal belt of the Cacadu District, particularly the Kou-Kamma, Ndlambe and Kouga Local Municipalities, is the centre of the dairy industry in the Eastern Cape, and is responsible for producing more than 20% of South Africa’s milk.
The Cacadu District in general, is already a major producer of pineapples, citrus, deciduous fruit and chicory. The growing of apples and pears in the Cacadu District is concentrated in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality. The Cacadu District is also a leading South African producer of citrus producing in excess of 40% of South Africa’s lemons, and almost 35% of South Africa’s Naval Oranges. The main citrus growing areas in Cacadu are in the Sundays River Valley, Kouga and Blue Crane Route Local Municipalities. The production of pineapples is also another major contributor to the CDM economy, with farms in the Ndlambe Local Municipality producing 124 000 tonnes of the fruit in 2009. Main export markets for Cacadu’s citrus and fruit is Spain, the Netherlands, Japan and the United Kingdom.
South Africa is the world’s second largest producer of chicory with almost all of the country chicory production centred around the town of Alexandria. Other important agriculture industries in Cacadu are forestry and honeybush tea in Kou-Kamma; Ostriches in Cambeboo, Blue Crane Route and Makana; and the harvesting of squid.
The Cacadu District Municipality have identified the Aquacultural sector as a priority investment sector due to its vast growth potential and the significant global demand. The Eastern Cape is the second greatest producer of aquaculture in the country and therefore the CDM can benefit from this as it provides a baseline for further production activities.
The chicory plant‘s main characterised is its ability to enhance and retain the aroma and taste of coffee and to also strengthen the mixture. The plant has the ability to partially reduce and neutralise the detrimental effects of the acids and caffeine present in coffee, furthermore the inclusion of chicory in these mixtures make them cheaper than pure coffee.
Citrus is a major international commercial fruit crop that is widely consumed both as fresh fruit or juice on a global scale. Its worldwide demand is attributed to its high Vitamin C and antioxidant content. The citrus industry within the Cacadu District Municipality is largely focused in the Sundays River Local Municipality, where the small town of Kirkwood is considered to be the citrus capital of the Eastern Cape and is also the centre of one of the largest citrus regions in South Africa, with approximately 12,000 ha of citrus orchards. Approximately 8 million cartons of oranges, lemons, grape fruit and soft citrus are exported. Harvesting normally takes place throughout the winter, May to October.
The Eastern Cape produces approximately 30% of the South African milk output, with the Cacadu District Municipality suppling 20% of this output. Dairy processing involves activities beginning from production of raw milk to finishing with the production of processed dairy products.
Honeybush is an indigenous plant found exclusively in South Africa, within the fynbos region. It is used to produce a uniquely flavoured, herbal tea. The Honeybush plant is easily recognised by its trifoliate leaves, single flowered inflorescence and bright, sweet fragrant flowers. The most sought after part of the plant is the flowers and leaves, this is what is used to produce Honeybush tea. The tea is so named due to the flowers having a honey scent.
Livestock farming within the Cacadu District Municipality is largely attributed to the farming of cattle, sheep and goats. South Africa has a total livestock area of approximately 590 000 km² spanning the country. Nearly 80% of the agricultural land in South Africa is suitable mainly for extensive livestock farming. The mixed veld types of the Eastern Cape present a competitive advantage for livestock activities; the province generates the greatest volume of livestock farming within the country.
The Ostrich is an endemic bird of African origin. It is characterised by its ability to survive in temperatures ranging from two to fifty degrees Celsius; it can be reared on barren land and mainly feeds on Alfa-Alfa, Lucerne and water. It is therefore considered a resilient bird and much suited to be reared in areas of the Cacadu District Municipality.
Cacadu District Municipality is currently home to an emergent pineapple industry, with the district contributing 124, 000 tons (2009) of pineapples to the South African market. The Eastern Cape together with KwaZulu-Natal are the two main pineapple growing areas within South Africa. Within the Eastern Cape, the Cacadu District is home to this industry, with pineapple growing especially concentrated in the Ndlambe Local Municipality. The Cacadu District Municipality derives social and economic benefit from the pineapple industry as it is a labour-intensive sector that is almost exclusively grown in this region.
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