Tourvest Opens Mpumalanga Agricultural Hub to Connect 100 Farmers with Tourism Markets

Tourism operator Tourvest has handed over the Khomanani Agricultural Hub in Mpumalanga, establishing a supply channel that will connect 100 smallholder farmers near the Kruger National Park with commercial buyers in the tourism industry.

The initiative targets farmers from communities surrounding the park and Numbi Gate, including Huntington (Hunzukani), Marbarhule, Somerset, Belfast and Nkambeni, as well as neighbouring villages.

Tourvest has committed to purchasing fresh produce from participating farmers for its lodges, restaurants and retail operations, giving local producers access to an established customer base.

Hub addresses market access and supply challenges

Many smallholder farmers in the area already produce agricultural goods but struggle to supply formal markets. Limited production volumes, transport costs, logistics and inconsistent access to buyers have made it difficult for smaller producers to meet commercial procurement requirements.

The Khomanani hub will consolidate produce from participating farms, allowing farmers to supply larger volumes while meeting buyers' requirements for quality and consistency.

Tourvest has appointed agricultural development organisation U CAN GROW to manage the facility and provide support to participating farmers. The organisation has experience establishing and operating agricultural hubs in other parts of South Africa.

The Department of Agriculture is also encouraging farmers to align their production with market demand so that supply matches the requirements of commercial buyers.

SANParks partnership could expand procurement opportunities

The initiative also involves South African National Parks (SANParks), which will support the hub through its Enterprise and Supplier Development programme. This includes strengthening the facility and improving farmers' capacity to participate in formal supply chains.

Beyond Tourvest's own procurement requirements, the partnership could open opportunities to supply other businesses operating within Kruger National Park. Potential future markets include retail outlets, institutional buyers and government nutrition and school-feeding programmes.

At full operational capacity, the project has the potential to create approximately 100 direct jobs on participating farms, between 10 and 20 permanent positions at the hub and another 200 indirect jobs through expanded agricultural activity and local supply chains.

Tourvest Group chief executive Luvhengo Neswiswi said the initiative was intended to give communities surrounding major tourism destinations a greater share of the economic opportunities generated by the sector.

The project also forms part of Tourvest's wider social investment plans ahead of the expected launch of the Tourvest Foundation in 2027, which will focus on education, environmental sustainability, community development, skills development and responsible tourism.