Agriculture is crucial for rural development in Africa, including South Africa, but faces challenges in ensuring food security, adapting to climate change, and reducing emissions. Africa Harvest, operating in South Africa since 2002, prioritizes sustainable agro-based development and partnerships. As part of its 5-year strategic plan (2023–2027), Africa Harvest aims to reach 10 million beneficiaries in East Africa, West Africa, SADC, and Central African countries through agricultural programs that increase their incomes, food and nutrition security.
To advance rural transformation, Africa Harvest has collaborated with institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and the University of Pretoria on projects such as Africa Bio-fortified Sorghum. Africa Harvest has also explored opportunities in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. A key partnership was initiated with Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) in Eastern Cape Province to enhance the sustainability of agricultural investments, particularly through Rural Enterprise Development (RED) Hubs and a proposed bio-fuel plant in Cradock.
Following an exploratory meeting in August 2016, Africa Harvest conducted a technical mission in November 2016 to assess opportunities for collaboration. The partnership seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of RED Hubs and develop a roadmap for commercial sorghum production to support the bio-fuel plant. Africa Harvest aims to apply its expertise in sorghum commercialization to enhance agricultural investments and rural economic autonomy.
The RED Hubs approach, adopted by the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) since 2014, aims to transform the rural economy of the Eastern Cape by utilizing agro-processing opportunities in maize, sorghum, and dairy. Africa Harvest, which has more than two decades of experience in agricultural development, has successfully commercialized sorghum in Eastern Africa. Such initiatives have benefited over one million smallholder farmers through improved technologies, enhanced market access, and reduced post-harvest losses.
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