China will be cultivating fruit on 500 hectares of land in the Eastern Cape, the province's development corporation (ECDC) said. "Eastern Cape's abundant agricultural land has seen China survey the province for farming business opportunities to supplement its scarce land resources," spokeswoman Ikhona Mvaphantsi said in a statement. The Yebo Africa Trading Hall (ATH) in Shangai, China, had entered into an agreement with the Alfred Nzo district municipality to use land in the area for pomelo citrus fruit cultivation.
The ATH is an entity formed by Chinese businessmen to facilitate trade between Africa and China and was set to open its doors for trade in March 2011. Alfred Nzo Development Agency chief executive officer Nandipa Bam said local farmers would benefit from the agreement. "We are looking at 500 hectares minimum, and since each farmer has about 10 hectares about 50 farmers will benefit directly. The project will bring job creation from primary production and spin-offs in packing, transportation and skills development," he was quoted as saying.
The fruit would be sold in the United States.
The ATH is an entity formed by Chinese businessmen to facilitate trade between Africa and China and was set to open its doors for trade in March 2011. Alfred Nzo Development Agency chief executive officer Nandipa Bam said local farmers would benefit from the agreement. "We are looking at 500 hectares minimum, and since each farmer has about 10 hectares about 50 farmers will benefit directly. The project will bring job creation from primary production and spin-offs in packing, transportation and skills development," he was quoted as saying.
The fruit would be sold in the United States.
