Growing success in Eastern Cape soil

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Jay Jay Farming, a youth-led agricultural partnership between Mzimasi Jalisa and Siphe Joyi, is steadily making a name for itself in the heart of Baziya, near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. While the farm has diversified into grains and vegetables, its most promising crop is potatoes. What began as a small trial in 2018 has evolved into a key enterprise on the farm, showcasing both resilience and growth despite the many challenges.

Their potato journey began in 2018, with just 3 ha of the Mondial variety under sprinkler irrigation. The harvest was sold unwashed to informal markets in and around Mthatha. In 2019, the team expanded to 5 ha, this time planting the Panamera variety. However, challenges persisted, particularly accessing profitable markets. Some produce was sold through the Kei Fresh Produce Market, but losses occurred due to quality deterioration and issues with post-harvest handling.

After pausing potato production for a few years to regroup, Jay Jay Farming made a strong return in 2023, this time relying on rain. That season marked a turning point, with a successful 7 ha crop prompting significant expansion. By 2024, the farm had grown to 10 ha, underpinned by a deeper understanding of the crop’s requirements. In October 2025, they expanded their capacity to 12 ha.

Partnerships and support

One of the most important lessons learned early on was the need for quality and market readiness. Without proper washing and sorting equipment, the potatoes didn’t meet formal market standards. To address this, the team began working with commercial growers like Vumile Mzinzi, a participant in Potatoes SA’s Enterprise Development Programme.

This gave Jay Jay Farming access to better infrastructure and more stable markets, including those in Mozambique. Despite high transportation costs and intense competition from producers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, Jay Jay Farming has carved out a niche by improving product quality and consistency.

Over the years, they received substantial support from a wide range of funders and development partners, which has been crucial to Jay Jay Farming’s sustainability:

• The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) provided early-stage funding.
• Enterprise development initiatives were supported by the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Social Development, and the Office of the Premier in the Eastern Cape.
• The farm benefited from financial assistance through the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA loan) and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, while the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and Department of Agriculture supported further operational capacity through additional blended finance.

On the mentorship and technical support front, Ukhanyo Farmer Development played a key role in building the farm’s capacity. John Deere, through its SMART Programme, facilitated access to tractors via an affordable lease-to-own arrangement. The SAB Foundation contributed a grant-and-loan package that enabled the installation of a critical irrigation system, and PepsiCo supported the development of the farm’s grain production facility. Most recently, Land Bank joined as a financial partner, providing blended finance to support machinery purchases and the expansion of both grain and potato production.

The road ahead

Looking forward, Jay Jay Farming plans to invest in a washing and sorting machine, and construct a packhouse, enabling them to meet both retail and export standards.

These improvements will not only help reduce losses but will allow them to add value on-site, creating more employment and improving profitability. Currently, the farm employs ten permanent workers and over 50 seasonal workers during the potato and cabbage harvest season.

To Jay Jay Farming, potatoes represent more than just a crop: they symbolise resilience, learning, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

From early losses in informal markets to scaling up through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development, Jay Jay Farming is well on its way to becoming a leading name in potato production in the Eastern Cape. – Rachichi Marokane, national transformation coordinator, Potatoes SA

For more information, email the author at rachichi@potatoes.co.za.