Emerging grain farmers in the Eastern Cape have been handed a clear path from subsistence farming to commercial success. The provincial Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has launched its Grain Commercialisation Chapter, an initiative aimed at building sustainable farming enterprises and opening market access for producers across the province.
The launch took place at a vibrant Harvest Day celebration at Sonskyn Farm in the Elundini Local Municipality on Thursday, bringing together farmers, industry stakeholders and government partners. The event forms part of the department’s broader Agriculture Commercialisation Programme, which works to unlock farmers’ economic potential through targeted support, stronger production capacity and integration into sustainable agricultural value chains.
R80 Million for Grain on 24 000 Hectares
The initiative is backed by serious resources. In her 2026/27 Budget Vote, Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe announced an allocation of R80 million to the grain and oilseeds value chain, supporting production on 24 000 hectares of land across the province.
“One thing I have always emphasised is that people must not underestimate their potential. Even a child crawls before they eventually walk,” Kontsiwe told farmers at the launch. “As government, we took a decision that our people must be supported to become commercial farmers. These farmers include the young, women and other producers who participate in various agricultural value chains such as grain, wool, citrus, livestock, poultry and others.”
Kontsiwe highlighted how grain production strengthens the whole agricultural ecosystem, noting that Joe Gqabi District is one of the province’s leading wool producers and that farmers there have performed exceptionally well this year. “To have quality livestock, you need quality feed. Through grain production, these farmers are playing a critical role in producing food for both people and animals,” she said.
A 21-Year-Old Shows the Way
The Harvest Day also put the spotlight on the young farmers entering the sector — none more inspiring than 21-year-old Iviwe Sondlo, who leases Sonskyn Farm itself. Sondlo’s love of agriculture was sparked early by his father, who taught him to operate a tractor as a boy. In 2025, encouraged by his father, he partnered with his cousin to lease the farm and plant maize on 47 hectares.
“We are planning to include more grains in future, expand our enterprise, and create more employment opportunities for young people,” Sondlo said.
Sonskyn Farm already supplies its produce to established industry players, including BKB in Nqanqarhu (formerly Maclear) and Bester in Mthatha — proof that emerging farmers can plug directly into commercial value chains when given the right support.
Growing a New Generation of Commercial Farmers
The department says Sondlo’s journey reflects exactly what the Grain Commercialisation Chapter is designed to achieve: attracting more young people into agriculture while building a new generation of commercial producers. With R80 million behind them, thousands of hectares under production and role models like Sondlo leading from the front, the Eastern Cape’s grain farmers have every reason to look forward to the next harvest.
Reporting based on information from SAnews.gov.za.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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