Covid may have dealt a blow to agricultural tourism but there are hopeful indicators this neglected sector is on the mend, writes Shirley le Guern.
Agricultural tourism is hard to define and includes everything from farm visits and stay-overs (boosted by Air BnB) to stop-offs during travels and farm tours. But, if research organisations such as Euromonitor International are correct and consumers are looking for more sustainable and authentic products and experiences, then there’s room to grow.
Agri-tourism not only offers an option for farmers to diversify and supplement mainstream farming operations, but also provides opportunities to grow struggling rural economies desperate for job creation.
KZN is not short of agricultural land and hence agri-tourism opportunities according to TIKZN. Agriculture in the province is extremely diverse and most of the world’s farming can be done here because of the region’s reliable rainfall and fertile soils.
KZN has 6,5-million hectares of land for farming, of which 82% is suitable for extensive livestock production. To unlock the agricultural potential of the province, concepts such as agri- villages and community estates have been put forward by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Various tourism bodies have also thrown their weight behind agri-based tourism, especially in the KZN Midlands where the signature Midlands Meander encouraged visitors to not only visit working farms and sample locally grown and produced fare, but also encouraged crafters, artists and other creative industries to go along for the ride.
At this point, high membership fees sometimes place the Meander out of reach of many small businesses, but the local municipality is investing R800 000 in its tourism offering this year to bolster the community-run uMngeni Tourism, which is working to cut red tape and improve the region’s offering. The idea is to expand attractions beyond the mainstream of bed-and-breakfasts, farm stalls, cheese makers, art galleries, adventure tourism and health spas.
Although the KZN South Coast is best known for its blue flag beaches and dive sites, Ugu South Coast Tourism also decided to switch some of its focus to what it calls the hinterland, and launched its South Coast Agri-CULTURE Tours in February.
CEO Phelisa Mangcu says the organisation is working hard to improve the holiday experience. By boosting popular agriculture in the region – macadamia nuts, bananas and coffee – it is able to grow agri-tourism and new attractions.
“This is a wonderful initiative that is expanding the footprint of tourism.”
BBS Farm in Southport, is named after founders Busisiwe, Bongi and Slindile, and started as a subsistence venture owned by women. The team of 40 employees produces green peppers, bananas, tomatoes and macadamia nuts. On the tourism front, they offer farm tours showcasing the organically- grown produce, macadamia trees and the hydroponic system that waters their tomatoes. Guests can also fish for carp, tilapia and bass at the dam or grab a coffee.
B’s Guesthouse is a bed-and- breakfast just outside the farming town of Harding which is perfect for families to stop over en route to the Eastern Cape or Durban. This was originally a farmhouse on a sugar plantation which has been transformed by Brigitte Buhr into a comfortable, fine-dining establishment serving farm-to-fork meals with a touch of German flare. Guests can fish the fully stocked dam, hike through the macadamia trees or visit the animal farm.
Ubumbano Homestead is an agricultural co-operative that was started on a smallholding by the Zama family in 2017. The growing demand for its quality produce prompted a switch to a commercial enterprise. The family farms sugarcane, macadamia nuts, bananas, spinach, sweet potatoes, mealies and green beans and offers guests farm tours to see growing techniques, harvesting and sample fresh produce. The farm stall stocks freshly- made macadamia nut and rocket pesto, macadamia nut biscuits and brittle, baked mealie loaf and steamed mealie bread. There is also locally- manufactured arts, crafts and other memorabilia in the curio shop.
Beaver Creek Coffee Estate is the southernmost coffee estate in the world and boasts three generations of coffee growers. Tourism-based activities include its Crop to Cup walkabout tour which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the coffee production process, a visit to the on-site cafe as well as some of the areas best mountain biking trails.
Mac Banana in Port Edward is a family-friendly retail and entertainment facility with more than 20 adventure activities. In addition to growing bananas, this agri business includes four restaurants, the Mac Chimp & Zee and Mac Conquer rope adventure park, the Mac Farmyard and Mac Butterfly Farm as well as quads, an archery and airgun range, paintball and putt-putt.
Peel’s Honey is now a national business but has its roots in the Midlands dating back to 1924. The owners first parked their car beside the national road to sell their produce, graduated to a wooden kiosk not far from the road and is now at home in a bright red shipping container shop that is a popular landmark on the Midlands Meander. Honey continues to be sourced locally to encourage the art of beekeeping.
Abingdon Wines is a pioneering KZN wine estate and single vineyard boutique wine producer based at Lion’s River. It was the first farm in KZN to produce a certified estate wine with its maiden vintage in 2007. The farm was bought in 2000 by Ian and Jane Smorthwaite and now has four hectares under vine. It is family run, including daughter Laurie Cooper, and offers wine tasting, a wine bar, lunches in the vineyard (with harvest boards and a tapas-style menu) and is home to a wine school.
Crocodile Creek is situated in dense coastal bush overlooking the Tongaat River just 14km from Ballito. Established in 1983 by Peter and Sheila Watson, it remains a family-run farm based on sustainable farming methods and exports skins globally. Crocodile Creek is currently home to over 9 000 Nile crocodiles and is known for its conservation work and as a popular tourist destination.
