Tiger Brands Hulisani Agriculture Development programme onboards second cohort of local emerging farmers, women farmers lead in numbers

Tiger Brands’ local agriculture development programme, Hulisani, has welcomed 17 emerging farmers from Musina in Limpopo as its second cohort. The group, which includes 10 women farmers, will receive practical business support and infrastructure investment to help them sustainably grow their operations and supply a portion of the company’s tomato requirements.

Hulisani, a Tshivenda word meaning “grow” or “cultivate”, focuses on bringing women and young emerging farmers into the agricultural value chain and forms part of Tiger Brands’ drive to strengthen local agricultural supply and reduce reliance on imports.

Launched in 2025, the programme’s first cohort of nine farmers delivered nearly 3 400 tonnes of tomatoes — about 135 400 crates — exceeding expected yields. Their operations created 156 new jobs and sustained a further 500 roles in surrounding communities.

“We aim to build a resilient supply chain by partnering with farmers, including emerging producers, to grow local agriculture, create jobs, and support local communities. Through skills development and reliable offtake, we help farmers scale while meeting quality standards. By streamlining operations and innovating, we ensure a consistent, high-quality food supply that is affordable and accessible across South Africa,” says Maanda Milubi, Director Enterprise Supplier Development and Transformation, Tiger Brands.

Supporting Emerging Farmers Through Hulisani

The programme begins with a detailed assessment of each farm’s needs, followed by tailored support aimed at improving productivity and building long-term resilience. This includes investment in solar and irrigation infrastructure, fertiliser tanks and other necessary equipment, as well as hands-on technical guidance throughout the growing season.

Beyond creating a secure market for their produce, the programme is intended to help emerging farmers build sustainable, resilient businesses that can grow beyond their initial participation.

“Our goal is to support local farmers play a meaningful role in safeguarding South Africa’s food security and ensuring communities continue to have access to locally produced food,” Milubi adds.

Current Cohort And Planting Progress

The 17 farmers have started planting crops on a total of 74 hectares (equivalent to approximately 74 rugby fields). The harvesting period will take place between April and August.

Background

Agriculture remains a significant employer and economic contributor in South Africa. As a leading player in the local tomato industry, Tiger Brands sources close to 100 000 tonnes of tomatoes annually from more than 100 commercial and smallholder farmers in Musina, as well as a smaller group in Lutzville in the Western Cape.

The company supplies farmers with the specific tomato seedlings used in its All Gold Tomato Sauce and other tomato-based products, along with technical support throughout the growing season to help meet required quality standards.

The harvested crop is processed in Musina and Lutzville before being transported to the All Gold manufacturing facility in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

Issued By Tiger Brands Limited

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