New farmers tap into tourism
2004-04-22 00:08
Lydenburg - The beneficiaries of a R15.6m piece of land are planning to create a true farm holiday experience for city slickers.
The 240 owners of Coromandel farm, which lies between the trout fishing Mecca of Dullstroom and the Anglo-Boer war town of Lydenburg in Mpumalanga, have partnered with tourism experts to develop their new property.
Coromandel, one of the province's most expensive Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) projects, boasts horse stables, two waterfalls, 10 dams, a game farm and houses that can be developed into self-catering accommodation.
Beneficiary and general manager of the farm, Brian Phokane, said on Wednesday that the owners wanted to do even more with the land, which already produces milk, and farms maize, beans, blueberries, peaches and nectarines.
"We're all very positive about the success of the farm," Phokane said.
"Everybody here has worked on this farm for more than 18 years. I've worked with farming experts here for 22 years and that's why I'm sure the project will succeed," he added.
He said the land was transferred to the new farmers in 2001 and has had one harvest.
He said the first loan instalment had also been paid to the Land Bank.
Bhutana Khoza, the director of African Harvest Capital, which is developing the tourism plan, is confident that the tourism project will attract some of the Gauteng tourists who visit Dullstroom.
"Coromandel has under-utilised land and state-of-the-art stables. That will surely enable us to develop a farm holiday destination on one estate," said Khoza.
Coromandel is one of only a few successful LRAD projects, however.
LRAD, Land and Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza's main land reform project that aims to transfer 30% of arable land to blacks by 2015, has frustrated many aspirant farmers in the province.
Some LRAD applicants have been waiting for up to four years for the government to make funds available so they can buy into Didiza's dream.
In the meantime, impatient white farmers have been selling their land to individuals who can pay immediately for the land, leaving applicants desperate.