Project title
An assessment of the viability of assisting two wine grape land reform projects in the Western Cape

Project leader
Van Schalkwyk, D

Institution
ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij

Team members
Fourie, P
van Schalkwyk, D
Beukes, O
Lotz, E

Project description
A situation analysis was done to determine where emerging wine grape producers are located and the problems they have. Further to this input more information was collected in order to determine the extent of the constraints and whether it would be possible to address these constraints by means of technology transfer tot ensure continued, sustainable and profitable wine grape production, or if other forms of intervention are required.

Three DLA Land Reform Projects, Gelukshoop, Nooitgedacht Kleinboere and Fair Valley Estate, in the Western Cape were identified as possible emerging ventures that have a chance to be successful. Two of these projects are situated in the Bonnievale area and the other near Klapmuts. The three project sites were visited during June and August by researchers from Nietvoorbij in an attempt to verify the extent of activities of various role players, the managerial and technical inputs made by these role players towards the successful execution of the farming the to obtain technical and financial information for the purpose of development of proper business plans. Both technical and financial information was obtained from Nooitgedacht and Gelukshoop and will be analysed with a farm business planning model. Some operational information was also obtained from Bonnievale and Merwespont Cellars and also from a neighbour of Gelukshoop. The business plan for this development still needs to be discussed with the owner of Fair View Estate.

At this stage it is evident that there is a lack of both business and wine grape managing skills and training in both matters are needed at Gelukshoop and Nooitgehacht Kleinboere. However, some other organisations are also operating on these farms and their role in training still needs to be investigated.

Final report
http://www.sawislibrary.co.za/dbtextimages/VanSchalkwykD9.pdf

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