In a significant leap for South Africa’s (SA) agricultural sector, macadamia farmers from Limpopo, led by visionary farmer, Gene Likhanya, are soon to export their produce to China. This is a major breakthrough, not only for Likhanya’s operation, but for approximately 30 emerging black macadamia farmers to benefit from the flourishing diplomatic and trade relations between SA and China.
This comes as diplomatic ties between the two nations are stronger than ever with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent state visit to China. The visit was aimed at deepening economic cooperation, following Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s, state visit to SA during the BRICS Summit in 2023. With bilateral trade between the two nations at a staggering $34 billion in 2023, SA’s agricultural sector is eager to seize new opportunities in this growing partnership.
From Humble Beginnings to Visionary Macadamia Farmer
Likhanya, founder of Madimbo Macs, has been cultivating macadamia nuts in the Vhembe district for nearly two decades. His story began modestly in 2005, when he bought a 2.5-hectare plot in Tshakhuma, inspired by his uncle’s farming endeavours. “At that time, macadamia farming was a largely unexplored territory for black farmers,” Likhanya says. “It was a road less travelled.”
What started as a small operation has since blossomed into an expansive farm, covering over 600 hectares and producing not only macadamia nuts, but also bananas, honey and avocados. However, Likhanya’s dream extended beyond his personal success; he wanted to uplift emerging black farmers and create opportunities in an industry, traditionally dominated by large-scale, white-owned operations.
One of the major challenges facing a small-scale macadamia farmer is access to processing and marketing facilities. “The macadamia industry is not structured for small players,” Likhanya explains. “You can’t just show up with a small load and expect the market to take it.”
To address this gap, Likhanya built a processing facility on his farm, specifically designed to support small and emerging farmers. This hub will play a pivotal role during the upcoming harvest, enabling 30 more farmers to export a collective 1,000 tonnes of macadamia nuts to China. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of the produce to be exported is grown by black farmers.
Despite this success, Likhanya remains focused on the need for further expansion. “We need a larger facility to accommodate the growing number of farmers,” he says, highlighting the limitations small farmers face when trying to scale up their operations.
Long and Challenging Road for This Macadamia Farmer
Likhanya’s journey has not been without hardships. Reflecting on his early years in farming, he describes the experience as “rough and bumpy.” Lacking the necessary equipment and infrastructure, he and his team initially relied on basic tools, such as picks and shovels, to clear the land. “We didn’t even have water rights, just rain,” he recalls.
The process of breaking into the export market has been equally challenging. “It took 17 years to establish our Chinese deal,” he says, emphasising the patience and resilience required to reach this point. “Next year will be our first time exporting directly from our own facility. It’s been a long journey, but we’re finally ready.”
Promising Future for SA’s Black Macadamia Farmers
Likhanya’s success story serves as an inspiring example of how emerging farmers can benefit from global markets. His efforts not only opened doors for black farmers in Limpopo, but also signal the growing potential of SA’s agricultural exports. With China’s insatiable demand for macadamia nuts and other produce, Likhanya and his fellow farmers are poised to reap the rewards of their perseverance and hard work.
The 30 emerging farmers will soon see their nuts shipped halfway across the globe. The future is bright and is only the beginning of what could be a transformative era for SA’s agriculture.
