South Africa is among the top 10 countries with the highest unemployment rate in the world. This leads to various challenges such as urbanisation and food insecurity.

In July 2021, Enactus - Central University of Technology participated in the Virtual National Competitions, winning numerous awards and advancing to the final round. In addition, the team presented one innovative project called Village Fa, which aims to decrease urbanisation, eradicate poverty, stimulate employment, generate income, and promote sustainable development.

The Enactus CUT team, in collaboration with the youth of Gladstone Village in Thaba Nchu, Free State, took their futures into their own hands by implementing an agricultural project, partnering with CUT Community Engagement Unit, Interstate Bus Lines and Patriot Vision in action (PAVA). The project saw the birth of the Green Golden Grey Cooperation, a farming enterprise with 14 beneficiaries from Gladstone village.

To kick start this venture, the team preferred potatoes as their primary crop because potatoes are profitable; they are a strategic food security crop. In addition, they are a multi-seasonal crop with low input costs and guarantees returns on investment.

In a follow-up story on the Village Fa project, the intended mission of stimulating local economic activities and building sustainable communities in the Free State province and beyond has been accomplished as local farmers are now enjoying harvest time. The enterprise is currently harvesting an anticipated 24 000 kilograms of potatoes. In addition, this project has assisted the beneficiaries in becoming commercial farmers as the potatoes are presently being distributed to different markets.

At Gladstone village: Potatoes are being packaged and prepared for distribution to different markets. The project has supported the beneficiaries in becoming commercial farmers.

Since the initiation of this project in July 2021, Village Fa has advanced to the Top 12 projects in the Race to Feed the Planet Competition. These projects are sponsored by the Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) company (an American multinational food processing and commodities trading corporation) and LiveKindly (a plant-based food company). The Enactus CUT was among the 68 teams from 16 countries who entered the competition. The top 12 participating universities are from Brazil, Egypt, India, Germany, and South Africa. Furthermore, of the Top 12 projects, only four projects will be selected to compete in the final race at the Enactus World Cup scheduled to take place in October 2022. The top 12 teams will be further mentored by the global nutrition leaders from the ADM in the United States of America.

Caption

Village Fa project bears fruits. It is harvest time at the Green Golden Grey Cooperation. The enterprise is currently harvesting an anticipated 24 000 kilograms of potatoes.

Uploaded: 13 June 2022