Distell launches aquaponics wine farm in Paarl

There was an air of excitement at the premises of Distell’s new aquaponics farm, launched at the Nederburg wine estate in Paarl last year.

According to a Distell, the first phase of the project entails supplying the wine estate’s kitchen and other local eateries with fresh produce manufactured by the new aquaponics farming system.

The aquaponic farm forms part of the company’s vision to make a difference by creating shared value in chosen markets, said acting director of corporate affairs, Eric Leong Son.

“These types of transformational partnerships, involving multiple stakeholders in our value chain, truly deliver tangible value for the community at large, and we would like to thank all our partners on this journey.”

The aquaponics project launched at the Nederburg wine farm, says the distillery, is a hub-and-spoke venture aimed at skill building, empowerment of local entrepreneurs and improving employment in the rural areas of the greater Drakenstein area.

To achieve these objectives, Distell has through its Agri+Gator empowerment division partnered with Mi-Crop Group holdings.

The land water and electricity for this initiative is supplied by Distell, with the co-funder Mi-Crop, providing technology, infrastructure, staff training and expertise.

In his address, Avril van der Rheede, Mi-Crop chairman, reiterated the focus of the project being to develop, empower and upskill people. He voiced his contentment in being part of such a project and commended role players for speedy progress in setting up the project at Nederburg.

“I’m pleasantly surprised to see what we have achieved in such a short period of time and I’m quite chuffed to be part of this.”

After official opening speeches, attendees were treated to a tour of the aquaponics facilities. Guests were given first-hand insight into what aquaponic farming entails and could view the set-up of operations on the farm.

The well-equipped, facilities currently consist of a trout and packaging section (500sqm) and a 1 000 sqm hydroponic greenhouse.

While alternative energy sources installed at operations will ensure farming remain uninterrupted even through load shedding.

Plans for expansion of the eco-friendly project are already in the pipeline. Distell’s Charles Wyeth, acting head of the company’s sustainability operations, revealed plans to upscale the aquaponic farm at Nederburg, to three times its current size.

Furthermore, he says the plan is to identify more local wine farms and small-scale BEE partners in the greater Drakenstein area to co-fund, co-own and operate multiple sites with the venture in its expanded phases and will also include the involvement of local black farmers.

“As the project grows, more employees will be upskilled to participate. We envisage that once fully up and running, around 10 additional work opportunities will have been created at the Nederburg hub alone. With its multiplier effect, this will provide a much-needed injection into the local economy.”