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SOLE MANDATE
Web Ref CL361
RIVERSDALE: Pomegranate farm of note
SOLE MANDATE
The main farming activity on this 1118-hectare farming enterprise is the production of quality pomegranates covering about 42-hectares of the acreage to produce quality fruit for the export market. The rest of the acreage consists of unplanted irrigation land and undisturbed natural fynbos veldt. The general condition of the farm and infrastructure is neat and well managed and maintained.
The farm is in die Karoo like region of Riverdale situated about 32-km from Riversdale, 65-km from Ladismith and 55-km from Barrydale.
Pomegranates, regarded as a superfruit by dietitians because of its healing qualities, offer multiple health benefits, ranging from cancer prevention to memory enhancement. The owner said that he realised the only way the farm would be economically viable was if he plants a high value water-wise crop. Pomegranates fit the profile.
Water and soil are the lifeblood of the agricultural industry, and its success depends on a variety of soil types and the management thereof. The arable soils vary from well-drained sandy-loam to sandy-clay with decomposed shale soil (cool) on the higher lying areas.
Production of pomegranates in South Africa only started in the early 2000s and has grown to just over 930 hectares in 2018. Pomegranate production in South Africa is mainly based in the Western Cape (80%).
Pomegranates prefer a Mediterranean climate - colder winters and hot summers and the farming enterprise`s climate is ideal. Pomegranate trees grow and bear fruit for over 30 years.
From a viticulture perspective all the pomegranate orchards were well established with correct soil preparation; and the 3,5-metre plant spacing (some 3 and 2.5metre), and drainage are good. It must be mentioned that all the trees are in excellent condition. There are irrigation areas on the property which could be used to expand the existing pomegranate orchards, because the demand for quality pomegranates for the export market is still growing.
The pomegranates are watered by a double drip irrigation system. Trellising, pruning, thinning out of fruit clusters after fruit set, topping and picking are all done by hand.
The pomegranate plantings on the subject property consist of 3 varieties, namely 20- hectare of a late-ripening ‘Wonderful’ which is known for its good production volume and 18-hectare mid-season ‘Herskovitz’ boasting with nice taste and good production, both Israelian varieties. About 4-hectare is planted with ‘Acco’ and this orchard is in process of interplanting ‘Wonderful’’ between the existing large trees still in production. The idea is to uproot the “Acco” when the interplanted trees bear fruit. Most trees were planted from 2010 till 2018.
Pomegranate farming requires specialised agricultural practises and therefor a South-African experts advice for an optimum fertilizer and spraying program; as well as Israelian experts who visit the South African pomegranate farmers regularly giving advice and technically support. A huge benefit of this area is that false codling moth, which is a native pest in South Africa, does not appear in this area. The pomegranates are packed and exported by Celebration Packhouse in Calitzdorp and SAPEX fruit in Stellenbosch. Labour is available from Soar and Riversdale.
Water is obtained from a perennial mountain stream with a constant 24/7 delivery of 15,000 litre per hour and stored in a large earth dam. Catchment water after good rain is also stored in this dam.
From the dam the water (3-bar pressure) is boosted with a 11-kWh booster pump for irrigation in the orchards. Additional water from 6 bore with a delivery capacity of 35,000 litre per hour is also available. All the orchards are watered by a set of double drippers supplying 2-litre per hour about 50 cm from each other.
The property has a 200 sq metre farmhouse offering accommodation to the manager (who is keen to continue managing the farm) and his family. This residence is in fairly good repair, but maintenance and refurbishment are required. To the north of the house is an adjacent covered stoep with a braai and entertainment area overlooking the well-established garden with mature trees.
There are staff houses on the property.
The 200sq metre shed serving as equipment- and vehicle parking space, maintenance- and workshop rooms, ablution facilities, poison room and fertiliser storage area. The shed is a steel framed building with corrugated steel roof and concrete floor. The shed is situated conveniently in the centre of the pomegranate groves.
The fauna and flora are typical to this type of topography and the farming enterprise is fortunate that there are still small antelope and plenty of birds enjoying this habitat. Most of the invasive alien plants and trees on the property were felled. A herds of Nguni cattle enjoys the natural veldt and serine atmosphere.
For sale at R 17,500,000 excluding VAT. The seller is a VAT vendor.
The main farming activity on this 1118-hectare farming enterprise is the production of quality pomegranates covering about 42-hectares of the acreage to produce quality fruit for the export market. The rest of the acreage consists of unplanted irrigation land and undisturbed natural fynbos veldt. The general condition of the farm and infrastructure is neat and well managed and maintained.
The farm is in die Karoo like region of Riverdale situated about 32-km from Riversdale, 65-km from Ladismith and 55-km from Barrydale.
Pomegranates, regarded as a superfruit by dietitians because of its healing qualities, offer multiple health benefits, ranging from cancer prevention to memory enhancement. The owner said that he realised the only way the farm would be economically viable was if he plants a high value water-wise crop. Pomegranates fit the profile.
Water and soil are the lifeblood of the agricultural industry, and its success depends on a variety of soil types and the management thereof. The arable soils vary from well-drained sandy-loam to sandy-clay with decomposed shale soil (cool) on the higher lying areas.
Production of pomegranates in South Africa only started in the early 2000s and has grown to just over 930 hectares in 2018. Pomegranate production in South Africa is mainly based in the Western Cape (80%).
Pomegranates prefer a Mediterranean climate - colder winters and hot summers and the farming enterprise`s climate is ideal. Pomegranate trees grow and bear fruit for over 30 years.
From a viticulture perspective all the pomegranate orchards were well established with correct soil preparation; and the 3,5-metre plant spacing (some 3 and 2.5metre), and drainage are good. It must be mentioned that all the trees are in excellent condition. There are irrigation areas on the property which could be used to expand the existing pomegranate orchards, because the demand for quality pomegranates for the export market is still growing.
The pomegranates are watered by a double drip irrigation system. Trellising, pruning, thinning out of fruit clusters after fruit set, topping and picking are all done by hand.
The pomegranate plantings on the subject property consist of 3 varieties, namely 20- hectare of a late-ripening ‘Wonderful’ which is known for its good production volume and 18-hectare mid-season ‘Herskovitz’ boasting with nice taste and good production, both Israelian varieties. About 4-hectare is planted with ‘Acco’ and this orchard is in process of interplanting ‘Wonderful’’ between the existing large trees still in production. The idea is to uproot the “Acco” when the interplanted trees bear fruit. Most trees were planted from 2010 till 2018.
Pomegranate farming requires specialised agricultural practises and therefor a South-African experts advice for an optimum fertilizer and spraying program; as well as Israelian experts who visit the South African pomegranate farmers regularly giving advice and technically support. A huge benefit of this area is that false codling moth, which is a native pest in South Africa, does not appear in this area. The pomegranates are packed and exported by Celebration Packhouse in Calitzdorp and SAPEX fruit in Stellenbosch. Labour is available from Soar and Riversdale.
Water is obtained from a perennial mountain stream with a constant 24/7 delivery of 15,000 litre per hour and stored in a large earth dam. Catchment water after good rain is also stored in this dam.
From the dam the water (3-bar pressure) is boosted with a 11-kWh booster pump for irrigation in the orchards. Additional water from 6 bore with a delivery capacity of 35,000 litre per hour is also available. All the orchards are watered by a set of double drippers supplying 2-litre per hour about 50 cm from each other.
The property has a 200 sq metre farmhouse offering accommodation to the manager (who is keen to continue managing the farm) and his family. This residence is in fairly good repair, but maintenance and refurbishment are required. To the north of the house is an adjacent covered stoep with a braai and entertainment area overlooking the well-established garden with mature trees.
There are staff houses on the property.
The 200sq metre shed serving as equipment- and vehicle parking space, maintenance- and workshop rooms, ablution facilities, poison room and fertiliser storage area. The shed is a steel framed building with corrugated steel roof and concrete floor. The shed is situated conveniently in the centre of the pomegranate groves.
The fauna and flora are typical to this type of topography and the farming enterprise is fortunate that there are still small antelope and plenty of birds enjoying this habitat. Most of the invasive alien plants and trees on the property were felled. A herds of Nguni cattle enjoys the natural veldt and serine atmosphere.
For sale at R 17,500,000 excluding VAT. The seller is a VAT vendor.
Features
Zoning
Agricultural
Title
Freehold
Exterior
Security
No
Sizes
Floor Size
400m²
Land Size
1,118Ha
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