WeeklySA_AdminBREAKTHROUGH: The state-owned Tekwane Citrus Farm in Mbombela has obtained key phytosanitary certifications to begin exporting citrus to Thailand, the Philippines and China, marking a major turnaround for the MEGA-owned asset and opening new revenue prospects aimed at boosting jobs and investment…
By WSAM Reporter
In a significant stride for provincial agriculture, the state-owned Tekwane Citrus Farm has successfully secured phytosanitary certifications to begin exporting its produce to major Asian markets.
This breakthrough marks a pivotal turnaround for the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) asset and opens a vital new revenue stream aimed at bolstering local employment and future investment.
Farm manager Royal Nzima confirmed that the first consignments from the Kanyamazane-based farm are now destined for Thailand, the Philippines and China.
“In this current year, we have a crop that we will send to Asia,” Nzima stated, highlighting the result of focused operational efforts since his appointment in September 2024. This move directly aligns with provincial goals to develop high-value agricultural exports and stimulate economic growth.
The farm, which employs between 50 and 60 people, is actively strengthening its foundations for sustainable growth. While past administrative shifts once saw agricultural budgets constrained, the current management is implementing a clear strategy focused on core citrus production. “Let’s get this trajectory moving up. Then other things can follow suit,” advised Professor Funso Kutu, head of the School of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga, endorsing the farm’s focused approach.
Building stability
The path forward includes navigating operational realities. Nzima acknowledged ongoing efforts to manage community-related challenges, such as water security, which are being addressed in partnership with relevant departments.
The farm has formally engaged the Department of Agriculture, seeking collaboration under existing support programs to enhance infrastructure and operations.
A key part of the farm’s strategy involves a deliberate focus on its primary citrus crop. During a recent visit to the farm, University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduate student Samuel Wright suggested diversifying into livestock on unused land to generate side income.
However, the prevailing strategic view supports perfecting the core business first. This focus is seen as the surest way to build a stable, profitable operation that can eventually fund wider community and agricultural initiatives.
The farm’s progress also ties into broader provincial human capital development. Its operations provide a critical training ground, with discussions highlighting the ongoing need to align the skills of graduates from institutions like the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) with the practical demands of modern, export-focused farming.
As a flagship agricultural project of the MEGA, the Tekwane Citrus Farm’s entry into the Asian market is more than a commercial milestone.
It represents a tangible step in the province’s strategy to create sustainable jobs, develop high-value agro-industries and demonstrate the potential of state-supported agriculture to compete on the global stage.
The focus is now on executing this export plan, solidifying operations and building a model for future agricultural development in the region.
