Musina – Tiger Brands has provided irrigation infrastructure to nine smallholder tomato farmers in Musina, Limpopo.
The move boosts their ability to participate meaningfully in improving food security in the province.
The irrigation systems will help farmers boost production and better navigate the challenges of unpredictable climate change conditions.
The nine Musina-based farms, four of which are women-owned, supply Tiger Brands with tomatoes to produce its iconic All Gold Tomato Sauce.
The investment is the first in Tiger Brand’s newly initiated Hulisani Programme, part of the company’s strategic commitment to building sustainable sourcing and to strengthening the country’s resilience to factors impacting food security.
“We are actively developing sustainable local agricultural sourcing to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials, reduce dependence on imports, support farmers in building resilient businesses, and contribute to national food security,” says Maanda Milubi, Director Enterprise and Supplier Development, Tiger Brands.
The local agricultural sector, which employs more than 900 000 people, is a significant contributor to the economy, contributing to job creation and food security.
But the sector is faced with growing challenges, including lack of infrastructure, access to adequate finance, and the impact of climate change.
Scores of farms in Musina were affected by black frost, which swept across the Limpopo province in mid-2024.
As a result of the unexpected weather event, many farmers were placed under greater strain to maintain their operations and deliver supplies to Tiger Brands.
The irrigation systems provided to the Musina farmers will assist with drawing water for operations more efficiently than before and allow them to increase crop production.
A mix of durable and non-durable irrigation systems has been provided to the farmers based on their water quality.
Upgraded irrigation infrastructure allows farmers to channel funds previously allocated to irrigation costs elsewhere in their operations.
Tiger Brands will work closely with the farmers to monitor crop progress, improve record keeping during the planting seasons, and offer financial, business management coaching, and technical support on a need basis.
At the end of the tomato season, the irrigation systems will support the farmers with the production of other crops.
As a major player in the South African tomato industry, Tiger Brands works alongside more than 100 commercial and smallholder farmers in Musina and a smaller group of farmers in Lutzville, Western Cape, to procure close to 100 000 tonnes of tomatoes per annum.
The business provides farmers with specific cultivar tomato seedlings required to produce its All Gold Tomato Sauce and other tomato-based products.
Farmers are also given technical support during the growing season to ensure crop yields meet Tiger Brands’ quality standards.
Tomato crops are processed at Tiger Brands’ tomato processing plants in Musina and Lutzville and transported to its All Gold manufacturing plant in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
