Pretoria: Emerging grain farmers in the Eastern Cape are poised to take a step towards commercial success following the launch of the Grain Commercialisation Chapter by the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), an initiative aimed at building sustainable farming enterprises and expanding access to markets. The initiative was unveiled during a Grain Commercialisation Chapter launch and Harvest Day held at Sonskyn Farm in the Elundini Local Municipality.
According to South African Government News Agency, the event formed part of the department's broader Agriculture Commercialisation Programme, which aims to unlock the economic potential of farmers through targeted support, strengthening production capacity and integrating producers into sustainable agricultural value chains. Delivering her 2026/27 Budget Vote earlier this year, Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe announced that the department had allocated R80 million to the grain and oilseeds value chain to support grain and oilseed production on 24,000 hectares of land across the province.
Addressing farmers, industry stakeholders, and government partners at the launch, Kontsiwe reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to helping farmers move beyond subsistence farming to thriving agricultural businesses. She emphasized the need to identify farmers' potential and provide the necessary interventions to help them advance, stating that the government is committed to supporting young, women, and other producers in various agricultural value chains.
Kontsiwe also highlighted the importance of grain production in supporting the province's livestock production and strengthening food security. She noted that Joe Gqabi District is a leading district in wool production and stressed the critical role of grain production in providing quality feed for livestock, thus enhancing food security.
The Harvest Day showcased the success of young farmers entering the agricultural sector, including 21-year-old Iviwe Sondlo, who leases Sonskyn Farm where the event was held. Inspired by his father, Sondlo pursued farming and, together with his cousin, leased the farm, planting maize on 47 hectares of land. Sondlo expressed plans to expand their enterprise and create more employment opportunities for young people.
The department stated that Sondlo's journey reflects its vision of attracting more young people into agriculture, while building a new generation of commercial producers. Sonskyn Farm currently supplies its produce to established industry players, including BKB in Nqanqarhu and Bester in Mthatha.
