tlé has recently invested in and built a Chicory Processing Plant in Weenen. The Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) appointed Lima to undertake a socio-economic, institutional and infrastructural assessment of land reform farms and farmers, within a 50km radius of Weenen.

The aim of the assessment was to identify potential producers to supply chicory to the newly established chicory plant in Weenen. A number of potential chicory producers were identified and will be recruited for future seasons for Nestlé.

This year Lima has been appointed by ADA to provide a management support service to the existing Ubumbano Chicory Farmers’ Co-operative. Lima is providing a full time facilitator, administration clerk and professional staff to the project. This cooperative has twelve members; most of which have grown chicory previously and produced chicory for Nestlé. Lima will be supporting new and existing farmers to grow and supply chicory to Nestlé.

A Chicory Farmers Day was recently held in Weenen, which was attended by the existing chicory farmers, and various stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture and Nestlé. This day was informative for all stakeholders, especially the cooperative members or growers, and marked the beginning of a shared learning process.

Weenen cooperative members with members from Nestle and the Dept. of Agriculture	Johan Spiers, from Nestle with Mr Chonco, the local councillor and inspects the dry chicory at the Farmers Day