Survival strategies of farmers in the Langkloof
Pome fruit production in the Langkloof is associated with high climatic risks, ranging from cyclical droughts to seasonal hailstorms. Calla du Toit, procurement manager at Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, says that most farms in the region have been family-run enterprises for generations, resulting in many years of intergenerational wisdom that has taught these growers how to thrive under these challenging conditions.
He adds that farmers here tend to be more conservative with their plantings and finances than those in other regions.
“Instead of planting as much as they can, they plant fewer hectares to ensure there’s sufficient water to carry them through times of scarcity. They’re also highly disciplined with their money, choosing to build reserves for difficult times rather than spend everything at once.”
CROP INSURANCE
Insurance premiums for farms in the Langkloof are exorbitant because of the high risk of hail in the area. Jimmy Zondagh, owner of Belle-Vue farm near Uniondale in the Western Cape, estimates that it can cost anything from R16 000/ha in the region.
To further complicate matters, insurance does not pay out in full when an orchard is destroyed; instead, the payout is based on an assessment of
