Agrikool,
a small agricultural business, is showing exponential growth after securing a
deal with the Shoprite Group, delivering fresh produce worth over R3 million to
the retailer in just over a year.
The
Pietermaritzburg-based business solves challenges in the farming value chain,
develops small to medium-scale local farmers, and sustains regional food
security, by connecting buyers, growers, producers, and transporters of
agricultural products. They have also developed an e-marketplace to connect
these growers with consumers.
Founded
by farmer and agricultural engineer Zamokuhle Thwala in 2018, who co-owns the
business with agricultural scientist Palesa Motaung, AgriKool, trading as
Gro-Agro (Pty) Ltd, currently works with over 22 farms in the KwaZulu-Natal
Midlands and outlying areas. This ecosystem has created a local economy that
has boosted employment within the farming community and food security in the
region.
Zamokuhle pounded the pavement in search of retail
partners and reached out to Freshmark, the Shoprite Group’s fruit and vegetable
procurement and distribution arm.
“It was a true hustle, and it must have made an
impression on someone because we got a meeting with Shoprite,” said Palesa
Motaung. Co-founder of Agrikool.
The Group placed its first order with
the small business in December 2021 giving the farming entrepreneurs a
much-needed foot in the door to supply formal retail in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
“This deal has
helped our business achieve incredible growth in such a short space of time,”
Motaung continues. “And when it comes to
compliance, the Group is known for being very strict. They have taught us a lot
about retail and how to handle our produce from farm to shelf.”
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
