Embo Agri Legacy Primary Co-operative Expands Crop and Livestock Farming in Tsolo

Embo Agri Legacy Primary Co-operative is developing a diversified farming enterprise in the Mbutho Administrative Area of Tsolo under the Mhlontlo Local Municipality. Established in 2014 and formally registered in March 2023, the co-operative combines crop production with livestock farming. It currently operates on 10 hectares of land, where it produces yellow maize and rears approximately 200 sheep. A further 90 hectares has been made available to support the expansion and diversification of its agricultural activities. With support from the Imvaba Fund through the ECDC, the co-operative has strengthened its farming infrastructure, inputs and production capacity while creating employment and supporting the participation of women in rural agriculture.

The development of Embo Agri Legacy reflects the contribution that rural farming co-operatives can make to agricultural production and local economic activity. By combining crop and livestock production, the enterprise has established a diversified farming model rather than relying on a single agricultural activity. Yellow maize forms part of its crop production, while sheep farming provides an additional agricultural enterprise. This combination gives the co-operative experience across different areas of farming and creates a foundation for future diversification. The availability of additional agricultural land provides further scope for the co-operative to build on these activities.

Embo Agri Legacy began its operations in 2014 before being formally registered as a co-operative in March 2023. The co-operative structure provides a formal framework through which its members can manage the farming enterprise and pursue shared agricultural objectives. Its current operations cover 10 hectares of land, demonstrating an established production base from which the enterprise can develop. Formal registration also marks an important stage in the development of the organisation as it continues to strengthen its farming activities. The co-operative’s history of operation since 2014 provides context for its current investment in production infrastructure and agricultural inputs.

The co-operative currently produces yellow maize on its available farmland. Maize is an important crop in agricultural production and forms one part of the enterprise’s diversified farming activities. Alongside crop production, Embo Agri Legacy rears approximately 200 sheep, giving the co-operative an established livestock component. Managing both crops and livestock requires different production activities, resources and planning. The combination provides the enterprise with a broader agricultural base as it works towards expanding its operations.

The availability of an additional 90 hectares creates significant scope for the co-operative to expand and diversify its farming activities. This land increases the area available for agricultural production beyond the 10 hectares currently being operated. Expansion onto additional land can allow the co-operative to consider a wider range of agricultural activities as its resources and capacity develop. The available land also provides room for the enterprise to build on its existing crop and livestock production. However, the pace and scale of any future expansion will depend on the co-operative’s ability to develop the necessary infrastructure, inputs, equipment and operational capacity.

Financial support has played an important role in strengthening Embo Agri Legacy’s farming operations. Through the Imvaba Fund, the ECDC provided the co-operative with a total of R397,940.40. The funding was directed towards fencing materials, mechanisation, fertiliser and agricultural chemicals. These areas address several practical requirements involved in developing and maintaining agricultural production. Investment in fencing can support the management and protection of farming areas, while mechanisation can provide equipment and capacity for agricultural operations.

Fertiliser and agricultural chemicals also form part of the support provided through the Imvaba Fund. These inputs can assist farmers in managing crop production and maintaining agricultural activities when used appropriately. For a co-operative seeking to expand production, access to necessary agricultural inputs can be an important part of building operational capacity. The combination of infrastructure-related support, mechanisation and farming inputs provides assistance across several areas of the enterprise. The ECDC investment has therefore strengthened the resources available to Embo Agri Legacy as it develops its agricultural activities.

The fencing component of the investment is particularly relevant to a diversified farming enterprise that includes livestock. Properly managed agricultural boundaries can help farmers organise their production areas and manage livestock. For a co-operative rearing approximately 200 sheep, fencing forms part of the infrastructure needed to support livestock farming. It can also assist with managing the use of available agricultural land as the enterprise expands. The investment in fencing therefore supports the co-operative’s current livestock activities while providing infrastructure that can contribute to future development.

Mechanisation is another important element of the support received by Embo Agri Legacy. Farming operations often require equipment to prepare land, establish crops and perform other agricultural tasks. Access to mechanisation can help a farming enterprise strengthen its operational capacity and manage larger areas of land. This becomes particularly relevant when considering the additional 90 hectares available to the co-operative. As the enterprise expands, appropriate mechanisation can support its ability to manage increased agricultural activity.

The co-operative has five directors, four of whom are women. The participation of four women among the five directors demonstrates a strong level of women’s representation within the leadership structure of the enterprise. Women play an important role in rural agriculture and agricultural businesses, including through ownership, management and production activities. Embo Agri Legacy provides an example of women taking leadership roles within a formally organised farming enterprise. This aspect of the co-operative adds a social and economic dimension to its agricultural activities in the Mhlontlo Local Municipality.

Employment is another part of the co-operative’s contribution to the local economy. Embo Agri Legacy has retained four permanent jobs through its farming operations. These positions provide an employment component within an enterprise based in a rural area. The continuation of permanent jobs demonstrates that the co-operative’s activities extend beyond agricultural production and contribute to local economic participation. As the enterprise considers the use of its additional land, its future development may provide further opportunities for agricultural activity and employment, although the number of future jobs cannot be determined from the information currently available.

The additional 90 hectares gives Embo Agri Legacy an opportunity to consider how its farming enterprise can develop over a larger production area. Expansion can involve increasing existing crop production, developing livestock activities or introducing other agricultural enterprises suited to the available land and resources. The co-operative already has experience in both crop and livestock farming, which provides a foundation for further diversification. Its ability to use the additional land effectively will depend on planning, infrastructure, inputs, equipment and ongoing management. The existing support from the Imvaba Fund provides a strengthened base from which the co-operative can pursue its agricultural objectives.

The development of Embo Agri Legacy also demonstrates the value of targeted support for emerging and established rural farming enterprises. Financial assistance can help farmers address practical constraints that affect production capacity. In this case, the R397,940.40 investment covered several areas, including fencing materials, mechanisation, fertiliser and agricultural chemicals. These resources support both the physical infrastructure and operational requirements of the farming enterprise. Strengthening these foundations can help a co-operative make better use of its existing land while preparing for future agricultural expansion.

Embo Agri Legacy Primary Co-operative has established a foundation for continued agricultural development in the Mbutho Administrative Area of Tsolo. Its current 10-hectare operation combines yellow maize production with approximately 200 sheep, while an additional 90 hectares is available for expansion and diversification. Support of R397,940.40 from the ECDC through the Imvaba Fund has strengthened the enterprise through investment in fencing, mechanisation, fertiliser and agricultural chemicals. With five directors, four of whom are women, and four permanent jobs retained, the co-operative also contributes to women’s participation and employment in the local rural economy. As Embo Agri Legacy develops its available land and builds on its existing farming activities, the enterprise has a foundation for continued crop and livestock production and greater participation in the agricultural economy of the Mhlontlo Local Municipality.