Livestock Wealth acquired a citrus farm in Tshipise village, Musina, Limpopo province, with the aim of stimulating economic development and restoring rural communities. The farm is now fully operational thanks to support from over 700 individuals who contributed through crowdfunding, and plans to expand plantings in subsequent seasons.
Ntutuko Shezi, CEO of Livestock Wealth, told Food For Mzansi how the farm was purchased using crowdfunding. He shared the vision that he and other sponsors had regarding ensuring the sustainability and success of this agricultural enterprise.
Shezi noted that although he previously worked in livestock farming and crop cultivation, the transition to citrus was a leap of faith since he initially lacked knowledge of the citrus business. However, the main goal was to have a positive impact on communities with high potential in the agricultural sector, which prompted the investment.
The initial and most significant challenge was securing the necessary skills for profitable farming. The team spent about four months searching for a suitable specialist and eventually found Themba Ngwenyu, an experienced farmer who manages the farm with great diligence. Shezi emphasized that buying a large farm without a competent operator is equivalent to losing money.
The acquired farm was in extremely poor condition: trees had not been fertilized for two years, staff had been reduced, and many processes were flawed. Therefore, everything had to be rebuilt from scratch—from personnel to infrastructure, and then markets needed to be sought. Despite the difficulties, the third season proved to be the best. In 2024, the first year, the company did not export products as it was going through a trial-and-error phase. In the second year, the first shipment of 74,000 boxes was sent, and in the current season, the volume reached 109,500 boxes.
Over two years, between 2025 and 2026, the farm received support. The government provided 60 people under an expanded public works program, who worked on the farm under the provincial government's guidance. This program included training workers in the basics of agriculture, sanitation, and garden maintenance.
Furthermore, the Citrus Growers Association provided a grant of 1.2 million rand, which was paid in two installments—half in 2025 and the second half this year. These funds helped purchase necessary production resources and ensure the farm's efficient operation.
The company's main focus is on export, as the local citrus market is quite limited. The farm has an advantage because it begins harvesting in January, whereas most competitors start in March, allowing them to reach Europe and other markets eight weeks earlier. This advantage contributes to increasing the number of employed staff. Currently, the staff consists of 34 permanent employees, with seasonal workers hired during peak seasons.
Work is already underway for the next season to plant an additional 15 hectares of two types of lemons, which will be ready for harvest in three years. Based on the improvements of the current year, the company aims to ship 140,000 boxes next season. The packing workshop and value chain have also been modernized. The company is confident that by achieving optimal yield rates and improving fruit quality, it will be able to maintain its sales markets.