PUBLISHER: Fresh Plaza (www.freshplaza.co.za)
Eastern Cape pineapple growers are currently reaping the benefits of a massive job creation drive by the provincial government. Currently, the baseline of total land under production for pineapple in the province is 7,800 hectares. Through the implementation of the agriculture growth and employment program, the government plans to increase the land under production to 10,300 ha.
If successful, this will lead to an increase in the baseline for jobs in pineapple production from 8,000 to 10,609 and to an economic growth baseline of R1,45 billion.