An update on Brookside Farming CC

Brookside Farming CC continues to make great progress and are looking in a very good position going into the next season. With the very generous donation from Pannar Seed of sufficient seed to plant 60 Ha of maize last year, the farm has already settled all of its accounts ahead of the harvesting of their maize which is likely to take place before the end of July. Last season they had a maize yield of 7 tonnes/Ha but the seed received from Pannar is an improved variety and so despite the general trend in the area of reduced yields thus far this year, they are hoping to achieve closer to 7.5 tonnes/Ha.

In the next planting season they are planning to increase their maize production by planting a further 20-25 Ha and in addition to this they have been planting potatoes and recently doubled their area under cultivation to 4.5 Ha. Jed Van Niekerk and Rory Bryden have continued their roles as mentors to the 6 member Brookside Farming CC team that is and have been impressed by the excellence with which they have executed all procedures on the farm. The farm was bought by government and entrusted to them 14 years ago already but they have still not obtained title deed to the property and this remains a major obstacle to their progress.