Executive Summary
Overview
The farm is located within Bela Bela municipality approximately 7 kilometres north of Bela Bela town and about 100 kilometres from Tshwane. The farm measures 136 hectares in extent and was acquired in 2001 by Janieda Beleggings Pty (Ltd).
There are five equipped boreholes with two reservoirs (one of 550,000 litres and one of 75,000 litres) serviced by two new high-pressure pumps that distribute the water between the two reservoirs through newly installed irrigation supply lines.
We currently have four tunnels of 650 square meters each, giving a total of 2600 square meters. Three-phase Eskom power is already available on the property, but our intent is to implement solar power in the near future. The farm has two tractors in good condition (one is an old model), a trailer for the tractor, a small slasher, and tractor road scraper.
The demand for sustainable food production
With a growing global population, and diminishing, finite resources, the need for highly productive and sustainable food production solutions is increasing exponentially.
Scarcity of space, water and nutrients are all putting added pressure onto existing traditional methods of farming and food production. This is leading to an increased focus on the opportunities provided by more sustainable impact farming practices, that deliver higher yields in shorter time frames using fewer resources.
The PureGrow aquaponics project is an example of this new method of farming and will produce an essential and perpetually needed product – food – in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible.
The EcoAquaponics Vision
Our vision is to build a sustainable business that feeds South Africans and renders a great return for our investors, while also enabling us to assist new, upcoming farmers in emulating our practices and success.
The EcoAquaponics Mission
Our mission is:
- To build a sustainable business that earns R1.5 million on each 1-hectare stand;
- To be the most sustainable business on a 1-hectare footprint;
- To be a leading provider of organic food produce;
- To be skilled in the required expertise of aquaponics, as well as basic solar power management and ICT tool usage;
- To provide quality products and fair prices while exceeding customers expectations and earning great margins.
Our SPV – Loxion Sweepers (Pty) Ltd
Our SPV maximises the expertise and competencies required for the execution of this business plan.
PSC Revenue Management holds 30% of the shares, with Niekie van der Walt taking point as Managing Director. He has extensive entrepreneurial and corporate experience in both energy and pre-paid industries where, over the past 13 years, he has successfully increased and expanded the impact of disruptive technologies into established landscapes by building solid relationships with expert partners.
Operations are led by Philip van den Heever who holds 30% of the shares. Philip has a range of experience and exposure in various entrepreneurial ventures, including expertise in the implementation and practical execution of franchise systems. His recent focus has been dedicated to the design, set-up and implementation of the aquaponics program on the farm in Bela Bela.
Finances are led by Mmadire Nancy Rampedi, who holds 20% of the shares. She has fulfilled various financial management roles, including municipal, provincial and national levels in the public sector, where she gained wide experience and insights across the financial landscape, including both the execution and auditing of financial management practises.
Relationship Management is headed up by Sipho Radebe who holds 20% shares. He has broad capability in journalism, education, financial services and public service. His strengths lie in his relationships, and his ability to pragmatically balance the monitoring, evaluation, governance and compliance requirements with implementation and execution of programmes and projects.
Aquaponic Farming from Start to Finish
