PATENSIE AND SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY PRE SUMMIT TOURS:11 th and 12 th MARCH 2019

Patensie Tour: Paul Bristow, CGA Director

Once again Sunkist generously sponsored these pre-Summit Tours, and magnetic stickers were displayed on all the vehicles hired for the occasion. The 28 delegates who booked for this tour to Patensie were set and ready to go at 10am on Monday 11th March. The party, in two mini buses, left from outside the Boardwalk Hotel in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated visit to the Koega Port did not happen due to unforeseen circumstances, which was disappointing for all who had been looking forward to it.

Ably led by Hannes Bester, CRI’s National Extension Manager, the timetable shifted and the first stop was the Citrus Foundation Block in Uitenhage. Here Dr Paul Fourie and his dedicated team met and briefed the group on the operations of the world-class facility which is the backbone of the southern African citrus industry. The visitors got an insight into the multiplication and preparation of Budwood from the enormous amount of citrus varieties propagated and cared for at this facility.

From the CFB the tour continued on the Patensie Sitrus Beperk (PSB) citrus nursery in the Patensie Valley. Here the group saw the operations of a commercial Citrus Nursery which supplies trees to the area.

A short trip from here led to Thorndale Citrus Estate where Eureka lemons were being grown under netting. The production criteria were explained by Grant du Preez.

The next stop, a short distance away, was at the very impressive Indulini Citrus Packhouse and Cold room facility. We were shown around the operations by Gustav Bell.

The Group stayed overnight at various guesthouses in Patensie, after meeting up for a scrumptious meal and drinks and the quaint old Ripple Hill Hotel.

Day Two started with Rob Elfick (RB/Xsit CEO), and his tem demonstrating the Xsit programme with FCM (false codling moths) and the application/release by helicopter of the sterile moths into the orchards. This was a very interesting and informative presentation.

The second stop of the day was at Quacha Farm where Dr Odendaal and his son Nico showed the group around a state of the art Low Flow Irrigation Pump-house where precise irrigation scheduling was being practiced to fully utilise the water resources that are so critically short in the Valley.

From here the mini buses took a scenic drive through Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve to reach Ysrivier Citrus Farms. This immaculate estate is nestled on the hillsides and has its own unique microclimate. It also boasts its own Solar Energy Power Farm, supplying electricity to the establishment. This is the home of the Cambria Navel.

The Group was supplied with picnic lunches and plenty of liquid refreshments on the long hot drives.

This is the first time the Patensie region has been visited for the educational tour preceding the CGA Citrus Summit.

Sundays River Valley Tour: Vangile Titi, CGA Director.

Leaving from the Boardwalk Hotel parking area shortly after the Patensie buses went on their way, the SRV Group visited citrus orchards in Barkley Bridge under nets, and the SRCC Cold Room facilities. A visit to the Wicklow packhouse, an organic farm at Addo and an organic juicing factory in Kirkwood made for some interesting visits. A highlight is always the Xsit sterile moth release.

Observations: This tour provided an overview of what the citrus industry has to offer in the Sundays River Valley in terms of the diversity of operations, showcasing an industry that is forward-looking. I was very impressed with the exposure to the practical workings of XSIT. The farmers have invested massively in expanding cold storage facilities. It was quite clear to see, especially for those on the tour who hailed from German and the USA, that South Africa is most definitely open for business.

An overnight stay at The Lookout Lodge with its stunning views over the citrus orchards as far as the eye can see, and a visit to the Addo Elephant Park on the way back to PE, showed just how much this Valley has to offer visitors to the area.

Overall, a very informative and relaxing tour that should definitely be a feature of any CGA Summit going forward.