Jill Whyte, chairperson, Green Farms Nut Company (GFNC) was earlier this month named as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Mpumalanga Female Exporter of the Year at an awards ceremony that took place at Nutting Hill House in Nelspruit on 15 August.
Aligned to her quest and dedication to support the long-term sustainability of the macadamia industry (and agricultural sector) in South Africa, Whyte has taken the decision to invest her full winnings of R150 000 into initiatives geared to support education in agriculture.
“I fundamentally believe that the agricultural sector is a key cornerstone to solving unemployment in South Africa. There is no shortage of land, but there is a shortage of finance and skills. The long-term growth and sustainability of the sector relies on increasing its skills base. We have the opportunity of land resource in our country; we have to ensure we utilize this wisely over time,” comments Whyte.
GFNC, together with their own farms employs more than 1000 people in rural areas, was established nearly 30 years ago, with humble beginnings and a big vision. It has grown from processing 80 tons in a small factory in White River to currently handling approximately 25% (16 000 tons) of South Africa’s crop in three factories across the key growing regions of Mpumalanga, Kwazulu Natal and Limpopo.
The organization earns significant foreign currency for South Africa that filters through the whole macadamia industry. Alongside continued rise in global demand for macadamias, there is room to grow within the sector, not only at production level, but also in creating value add products within the broader supply chain.
“My exposure to other entrepreneurs at the awards was inspiring, and a wonderful reminder of, as in my case, small enterprises with great ideas can grow. Each participant in the awards program is making a difference and value contribution to our society. Our Mpumalanga contingent, represented at the National Awards in Cape Town (29 August), had a superb sense of camaraderie,” continues Whyte.
Whyte is liaising with DAFF around when she can anticipate her monies: she has decided that a portion will be donated to the Agricolleges International’s NPO registered bursary fund called Educate to Grow. With a further amount going to an Mpumalanga educational project focused on agriculture. Some of the monies will also be allocated to investing into the agricultural education of children of staff employed by the broader GFNC processing and farming group.
For more information: 
Annelle Whyte
Koko & Tree
Tel: +27 711 638719
Email: annelle@kokoandtree.co.za
www.kokoandtree.co.za