Oversight Visit Begins at Zebediela Citrus Estate

An oversight visit to the Zebediela Citrus Estate has started. The National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development met with provincial leaders and local stakeholders to review progress at the estate. The group included LDARD MEC Nakedi Kekana, Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Merriam Molala, LDARD HOD Mpho Mashamba and senior officials.

The estate was a priority site during the committee’s three day programme in Limpopo. The team focused on how the project is performing and what it means for farmers in the surrounding area. The estate has long been an important citrus producer in the province. Farmers view its recovery as a signal of broader progress in land reform and agricultural revitalisation.

The visit centred on production capacity, orchard conditions, water access and management practices. The committee asked for clear data on current yields, input costs and staffing levels. Farmers need this information to understand how the estate can support local value chains. Many growers rely on regional packhouses, transport networks and extension services linked to large estates.

MEC Kekana is expected to outline how the province is helping the project stabilise operations. Support measures include technical training, production planning, infrastructure maintenance and access to finance. These interventions matter to farmers who depend on efficient supply chains and stable market channels.

The committee stressed that the estate must deliver practical benefits to nearby farming communities. These benefits include jobs, training opportunities, improved extension services and reliable citrus volumes for the market. Strong cooperation between national and provincial teams will shape how quickly the estate can return to consistent output.

The visit will help guide decisions on future investment and support. Farmers in the region want clear timelines and realistic plans that strengthen the estate and promote steady production. The committee will share its findings once the programme ends.