Agricultural Economic Activities
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality is a predominantly rural municipality with a rich agricultural economy. Historical municipal information records a population of more than 174,375 people.
Agriculture is one of the primary economic activities and an important source of food production and employment within the municipality.
Historical information: These figures are drawn from earlier municipal information and should not be interpreted as current statistics.
Approximately 80% of the municipal land area was reported as being used for agricultural purposes. The fertile land along the Olifants (Lepelle) River is particularly important for agricultural production.
Major Agricultural Products
The municipality is an important producer of citrus fruits, table grapes, cotton and vegetables. Livestock farming, particularly cattle ownership among subsistence farmers, also forms part of the local agricultural economy.
Citrus Production
Citrus farming contributes to the agricultural output and commercial farming activities of the area.
Table Grapes
Table grape production is among the municipality's important agricultural activities.
Cotton Farming
Cotton production contributes to the diversity of local agricultural activities.
Vegetable Production
Vegetable farming supports food production and agricultural trade.
Livestock Farming
Cattle farming and livestock ownership provide livelihoods for subsistence farmers.
Organic Farming
Organic farming has been identified as an opportunity for agricultural development and employment creation.
Agricultural Markets and Trade
Much of the municipality's agricultural produce has historically been transported to major markets, including the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market and Tshwane Fresh Produce Market.
The municipal information identifies the lack of a local fresh produce market as a challenge for farmers seeking facilities to store, market and sell their produce directly to private and public consumers.
Developing local agricultural processing, storage and marketing facilities presents opportunities to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
Employment and Economic Contribution
According to the historical figures provided, agriculture was the municipality's largest formal-sector employer, accounting for 31% of employment.
Earlier municipal development objectives identified agriculture as a key sector for addressing unemployment and supporting economic development.
Agricultural Development and Job Creation
Under earlier development planning, the municipality aimed to reduce unemployment from just over 40% to 20.9%, with a labour projection of 38,300 by 2015.
The historical plan envisaged the creation of approximately 19,500 new jobs, equivalent to an estimated 1,950 jobs per year. These were planning targets, not confirmed employment outcomes.
The municipality identified agro-processing, agricultural cooperatives and organic farming as potential sources of employment and economic growth.
An organic farming project in Dicheung was launched in April 2011. Earlier plans also referred to four farms in other villages, with an ambition to expand the initiative to ten farms by 2013 and create approximately 500 full-time jobs.
Note: The 2013 and 2015 figures describe historical targets. The supplied information does not confirm whether these targets were achieved.