Entrepreneurship is alive and thriving in some parts of South Africa and savvy entrepreneurs are taking advantage of what the business has to offer to make a difference in their communities through job creations and strengthening sustainable food security in the country.
Last week, Corteva Agriscience South Africa’s B-BBEE Supplier Development Programme visited Sania Mokoena, entrepreneur and director at Noko Development Trust, a black-owned and woman led emerging commercial farming enterprise participating in Corteva Agriscience South Africa’s B-BBEE Supplier development programme.
The main reason for Corteva Agriscience to visit Noko Development Trust was to showcase successful black farmer development and transformation within agriculture as a commercially sustainable business model. Also to demonstrate contributions to food security, local production, job creation and economic inclusion. Corteva Agriscience is playing a crucial role as a strategic and forward looking agri business partner in South Africa.
For entrepreneurs like Sania Mokoena, given what she does and partnering with Corteva Agriscience is part of strengthening food security through inclusive agriculture, building resilient, and local agricultural supply chains.
Noko Development Trust is one of the success stories to come out of Thaba Chweu Municipality, Ohrigstad. The organisation was established in 1998, stands as a benchmark for commercial success and community impact within the agricultural sector. Led by Sarel Mokoena and his daughter Sania Mokoena, the enterprise manages 360 hectares of land reform territory.
The Development Trust, they specialize in a mixed farming system, the Trust excels in the production of grains, livestock, vegetables, and pasture.
Speaking about the success of the Corteva Agriscience supplier development programme in 5 to 10 years: “At Corteva our purpose is to enrich lives for generations to come and that’s exactly what we’re doing in our program and building generational wealth,” said, Taryn Govender is the Procurement Executive for Africa & the Middle East at Corteva Agriscience.
“Our aim is to feed the world through sustainable agricultural practices.Programs like this help us to achieve that faster through development of our suppliers, and the positive impact they have on our economy. That is success to us,” adds Govender.
To someone who doesn’t know what Corteva Agriscience is all about? “Corteva Agriscience is a global, science-driven agriculture company with a strong footprint in South Africa, supporting farmers with seed, crop protection and biological solutions tailored to local conditions.”
“The company partners with both commercial and emerging farmers to improve productivity, resilience and long-term sustainability, while actively contributing to inclusive growth and agricultural transformation through B-BBEE, grower and community development programmes.”
As part of support, Caiphas Muyambo, (Seedlink Pty) Ltd supplier and value-chain partner also participated during the event. Seedlink is a South African agri-business Pannar Seeds supplier, and a participant in Corteva Agriscience South Africa’s B-BBEE Supplier Development initiatives, working closely with emerging farmers within the seed and grain value chain.
Corteva is committed to supporting the growth and expansion of new businesses and Emerging Farmers. Our partnership with Seedlink does both, said the company in a press statement.
According to Govender, “Corteva Agriscience’s B-BBEE Supplier Development Programme is designed to address key challenges facing majority of black-owned farming businesses,” including:
• Access to knowledge
• Access to infrastructure
• Access to networks
• Access to funding
• Addressing growth-inhibiting mindsets
Inclosing, the Supplier Development: is about developing black emerging and smallholder farmers through Corteva’s suppliers and distributors to build black-owned, commercially viable agricultural businesses.
