According to the Provincial Growth Development Strategy (2004-2014) next to mining, agriculture is the second most important productive economic sector and largest employer of labour in the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape is arid and vast province, 98% of the land is for agricultural use and only 2% of that is for crop farming. The provincial government is committed to ensuring that the sector continues to play a key role in the development of the Northern Cape economy. This requires increased investment into the sector, both by established business as well as by emerging farmers. Northern Cape’s principal challenge is to make sure that agricultural sector's growth contributes to GGP employment and income while at the same time accommodating the demands for increasing access to agricultural resources by the previously excluded sectors of the society.

The challenge can be addressed by:

• Introducing high value products to the Northern Cape agriculture;
• Involve emerging farmers in partnership with existing commercial producers;
• Value add products within the region;
• Product sale off-take both local and export;
• Marketing partnership; and
• Technical input and mentoring program.

NCEDA’s approach towards Agriculture Projects

Both the Northern Cape government and the commercial farmers have recognized that the long term success of the provincial agriculture sector lies in a closer collaboration between the two entities. Therefore NCEDA collaborates with institutions that are ready to rejuvenate the Northern Cape agriculture sector by introducing high value crops that will boost the economy of the province. NCEDA agriculture projects serves as the best business model that represents an outstanding opportunity for economic development and empowerment in the Northern Cape. The main focus is to revitalize the land reform projects.

Opportunities for the Northern Cape economy

• An opportunity exists to replace South and Southern Africa’s dry fig imports.
• The maintenance of fig and pomegranate orchards has lower input costs as they are less prone to disease and pests.
• Grapefruit ripening time dovetails well with fig and pomegranate production
• Guaranteed market off-take through US investment
• Food processing of other downstream product
• Potential additional income generation to the region in excess of R1 billion per annum