Agriculture, Food security and Community development

Lima was originally founded in response to the needs of South Africa’s disadvantaged farmers; smallholder farmers in rural areas are isolated from key markets and services considered essential for developing successful agricultural enterprises. Lima assists smallholders by breaking their isolation and integrating them into the agri-business value chain by providing linkages to input suppliers, credit provision, mechanisation, technical support and market access.

As a result of low levels of economic growth, as well as considerable shocks such as floods, riots and the covid-19 pandemic, poverty and food insecurity levels in South Africa continue to rise. In vulnerability surveys undertaken by Lima, household hunger is reported by 60% of rural households, dropping to 40% in urban areas.

Lima supports agriculture and food security projects in over 20 districts in South Africa supporting 15 000 farmers in six provinces. Farmer support services provided by Lima have a substantial impact on family income and food security levels. An independent impact study by UKZN measured Lima’s community impact as 500%.

We have been in a position to expand our farmer support programme where we are working with 400 medium scale grain farmers (farming 35 Ha on average), funded by the Louis Dreyfus Foundation. Here, farmers are provided loans and mechanisation support and produce comprising sunflower, maize and beans are sold through local depots. Through a working relationship with De Beers Diamonds, we are supporting 800 farmers in Musina and Blouberg in Northern Limpopo. The farmer support services has resulted in considerable increases in farm production as well as local job creation. A farmers agri-hub is being established in Blouberg to support medium scale potato and tomato farmers.

Funders
Goldfields, South Deep Mine, Meat Naturally, De Beers, Anglo American Chairmans Fund, Louis Dreyfus Foundation, Kwanalu, First Rand Foundation.

Geographic Area
Matatiele, Maclear, Estcourt Msinga, Nkomazi, Tsaneen, Blouberg, Musina, Lichtenburg, Mahikeng, Westonaria.