South Africa’s smallholder farmers are reaping the benefits of smart, scalable irrigation solutions designed to drive inclusive agricultural growth.
By Robert Tlapu – The Bulrushes
In a landmark initiative supported by Anglo American Zimele, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), and the SAB Foundation, a solar-powered micro-irrigation project is helping small-scale farmers in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga enhance productivity and climate resilience.
The system delivers water directly to plant roots—cutting waste, improving crop yields, and empowering rural entrepreneurs, many of them women and youth.
This multi-stakeholder collaboration reflects a powerful shift towards sustainable food security, inclusive value chains, and rural economic development.
“We don’t just irrigate land—we irrigate opportunity,” says one beneficiary.
