Matshedi Agro Processing Farm is already showing results just six weeks after its launch. Chilli and spinach are being harvested, butternut is expected to be harvested later this month, and bitterleaf, a medicinal plant from West Africa, is also thriving among the crops.
When the farm officially opened in January during an Agricultural Conference in Marapyane, a village in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality in Mpumalanga, the crops were just seeds buried under the soil.
Bitterleaf stems were planted the next day to test their performance in South African conditions. Today, the rows of green leaves and early harvests show the farm is off to a strong start.
“When we planted the crops in January, many could not yet see the results. But we planted with faith and commitment,” said Mabel Moche, Informal Economic Development Forum (IEDF) Africa Deputy Chairperson for Agriculture and IEDF South Africa Agriculture Chairperson.
Moche added that the success demonstrates the value of the partnership and its aim to create jobs.
“This is only the beginning. Agriculture has the power to change lives, restore dignity, and build strong communities across Africa,” she said.
Bitterleaf offers new market opportunities
A key development at Matshedi Farm is the introduction of bitterleaf, widely used in West African cuisine and traditional medicine.
The crop was introduced through a partnership with Kadamba Africa to test whether it could grow successfully in South African soil. Within six weeks, the plants had adapted well and were producing healthy green leaves.
David Venter, IEDF Global President, said the project highlights the power of collaboration.
“Leadership is about activating vision, even from a distance. The success at Matshedi Farm proves that when we combine partnerships, innovation, and unity across Africa, poverty can be defeated. This is what Vision 2030 looks like in action,” he said.
The trial could create opportunities for farmers interested in cultivating new crops for specialised markets.
According to the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), bitterleaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is achieving commercial success in South Africa, primarily driven by niche markets which cater to Nigerian, West African, and other African diaspora populations who use it for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Bitterleaf is not a mainstream staple crop, but its cultivation and sale have proven profitable for specialised small-scale farmers who supply fresh and dried leaves.
The ACB, a research and advocacy organisation, notes that small-scale farmers in South Africa market bitterleaf by targeting niche, ethnic, and health conscious consumer bases, utilising both informal and local networks.
Key strategies include selling directly to consumers at informal markets (taxi ranks, roadsides).
The Matshedi Agro Processing farm is part of the International Economic Development Forum’s (IEDF) Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to eradicate poverty by empowering informal and small-scale economic participants across Africa. The programme focuses on leadership development, skills transfer, improving market access, and building sustainable partnerships.
Venter said agriculture is more than food production; it is a tool for economic development.
“Agriculture is not only about food production. It is about dignity, livelihoods, youth opportunity, and economic sovereignty,” he said.
