THE Wild Coast Sun resort has helped local farming initiative Queens Greens to become fully self-sustaining by providing a borehole, pump and irrigation system.
It also provided equipment to work the fields, such as wheelbarrows, spades, forks and hoes, as well as seedlings, fertilizer, and pesticide. The total value of the contribution is R130,000.
The resort’s SED and Community Engagement Manager Vincent Bulala said the donations built on previous projects developed for Queens Greens.
“We have been able to move them from subsistence farming to being fully self-sustaining. There is already a market and demand for their crops from local supermarkets and fellow villagers. We hope to enroll them as a vegetable supplier,” Bulala said.
One of the farmers at the site, Zenande Ndava, said: “I will forever be grateful to Wild Coast Sun for investing in my dream to become a young black female commercial farmer based in rural areas. Queens Greens will now be able to provide much needed employment, supply supermarkets and will be the training centre for learners from TVET colleges.”
Queens Greens is situated in the Bizana Monti Village area approximately one-and-a-half hour’s drive from the Wild Coast Sun. Its land encompasses 14 hectares and currently employs six workers. Crops include cabbage, spinach, potatoes, and onions.
The project started last December when Wild Coast Sun ‘s contractor started drilling and identified water, which brought the project to life.
