To further capacitate farmers supplying tomatoes to its All Gold Tomato Sauce production value chain, fast-moving consumer goods producer Tiger Brands has provided irrigation infrastructure to nine smallholder tomato farmers in Musina, Limpopo.

The infrastructure has enhanced the farmers’ yield, climate resilience and ability to participate meaningfully in improving food security in the province, says Tiger Brands enterprise and supplier development director Maanda Milubi.  

The investment marks the first in Tiger Brands’ newly initiated Hulisani Programme, which forms part of the company’s strategic commitment to building sustainable sourcing and to strengthen South Africa’s resilience to factors impacting food security.

Milubi says the company is actively developing sustainable local agriculture sourcing to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials, reduce dependence on imports and support farmers in building resilient businesses.

Despite South Africa’s agriculture sector employing more than 900 000 people and being a significant contributor to the economy, the sector is faced with issues such as lack of infrastructure, access to adequate finance and the impact of climate change.

Scores of farms in Musina were affected by black frost in mid-2024, which swept across Limpopo and left many farmers struggling to maintain their operations and deliver supplies to Tiger Brands.

The irrigation systems provided to the Musina farmers, which include four women-owned farms, is assisting with drawing water for operations more efficiently than before and allows them to increase crop production.

Additionally, funds previously allocated to irrigation costs can now be spent elsewhere in their operations.

Tiger Brands will continue to work closely with the farmers to monitor crop progress, improve record-keeping during planting seasons and offer financial, business management and technical support solutions on a needs basis.

Once the tomato season ends, the irrigation systems will support the farmers with the production of other crops.

Tiger Brands works alongside more than 100 commercial and smallholder farmers in Musina and Lutzville, in the Western Cape, to procure about 100 000 t/y of tomatoes.

The company provides farmers with specific cultivar tomato seeds required to produce its All Gold Tomato Sauce and other tomato-based products.

Farmers are also given technical support during the growing season to ensure crop yields meet Tiger Brands’ quality standards.

The tomatoes are ultimately processed at Tiger Brands’ plants in Musina and Lutzville before being transferred to its All Gold manufacturing plant in Boksburg.