STATEMENT BY THE MAYCO MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS
Last week I had the pleasure of joining Chamomile Farming Enterprises for the unveiling of their expanded facility that will bring further food provision and employment opportunities to Philippi and the greater Cape Town. Ward councillor Elton Jansen was also present.
Opened in 2005, this family-owned business started out with a few kilograms of vegetables and 100 chickens which produced a few hundred eggs a day. Now, hundreds of kilograms of vegetables are produced daily and 10 000 chickens produce an average of 9 000 eggs every day. It also employs 17 people from the surrounding area and the expanded facilities make provision for a further 25 000 chickens.
A year ago, the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department provided guidance to owner, Wadea Jappie and her team on municipal matters, which helped pave the way for the expansion of the egg production business and the opening of a new, bigger chicken layer facility.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture also supported the farming enterprise with further development assets. And it was wonderful how this emerging farming group has been able to grow by working with more established businesses such as Quantum Foods.
Helping agricultural businesses such as Chamomile Farming to grow in communities and connecting them with bigger businesses is critical for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s economy, food supply, and job creation.
About 45% of South Africa’s agricultural exports move through the province and the value added in the sector amounts to more than R14 billion per annum. Notably, agriculture and agro-processing are responsible for 18% of employment opportunities in the Western Cape.
A 2017 Western Cape Department of Agriculture study found that Philippi’s farming region alone yielded an annual turnover of between R440 million and R480 million, while creating about 33 000 jobs.
I look forward to witnessing Chamomile Farming Enterprise’s continued growth and creating more opportunities for their community.
Source: City Of Cape Town