top of page

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE ACTIVITIES UNDER RUAIPP & ABCs

Organic, Regenerative Systems, Setup Costs, and Global Profitability

​

The Rural & Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) positions agriculture not as a low-status survival activity, but as a high-value, multi-sector economic engine. To achieve this, RUAIPP organises farmers, agropreneurs, processors, and investors into Agriculture-Based Clusters (ABCs) that are productive, profitable, climate-resilient, and globally competitive.

Central to this strategy is a portfolio of organic and regenerative agriculture activities, each linked to specific high-value crops and value chains. These activities are deliberately designed to:

  • build food security and nutrition

  • generate strong commercial returns

  • support generational wealth building

  • create jobs for youth and women

  • deliver climate and ESG outcomes

  • feed into processing, manufacturing, and export systems

All indicative cost and revenue figures below are expressed in USD per hectare (or per unit), and reflect organic/regenerative setups under African conditions, with access to reasonable domestic and/or export markets.

​

1.1 Organic Rain-Fed & Irrigated Field Crops (Maize, Sorghum, Beans, Millet)

Typical Setup (1–5 ha, organic & regenerative):

Screenshot_1.png

Relevance:

  1. Forms the baseline food basket (maize, sorghum, beans, millet).

  2. Improves soil structure and fertility when integrated with legumes.

  3. Provides raw material for milling, animal feed, and school feeding programmes.

Screenshot_2.png

2. ORGANIC HORTICULTURE SYSTEMS

Vegetables, Salads, Herbs, and High-Value Culinary Crops:

​

Organic horticulture is central to urban and peri-urban agriculture within RUAIPP, providing fresh, nutrient-dense food and strong cash flow for youth and women.

Screenshot_3.png

Strategic relevance:

  • Supplies local supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, schools, and export pack-houses.

  • Generates fast and regular income, ideal for early-stage ABC farmers.

  • Creates entry-level opportunities for incubated youth and women agropreneurs.

2.2 Organic Greenhouse Production

Per greenhouse unit (tomato, cucumber, capsicum):

Screenshot_4.png

Relevance:

  • Allows year-round production, mitigates climate risk, and meets strict export standards.

  • Ideal for peri-urban ABC hubs attached to cold rooms, processing and retail outlets.

3. ORGANIC LIVESTOCK & POULTRY SYSTEMS

Free-Range, Regenerative and Integrated into Crop Systems:

Livestock within RUAIPP is managed under regenerative grazing and organic feed principles, turning animals into part of a closed nutrient cycle (manure → compost → crops).

​

3.1 Organic / Free-Range Poultry (Layers & Broilers)

Setup (1,000 birds):

Screenshot_5.png

Relevance:

  • Fast cycles, strong cash flow, and affordable proteins.

  • Uses agro-processing by-products (bran, oilcakes) and supports circular bioeconomy inside ABCs.

Screenshot_7.png

Relevance:

  • Produces milk, meat, hides, manure, and anchors rural wealth and asset portfolios.

  • Supports dairy and beef processing within ABC industrial clusters.

4. AQUACULTURE & BEEKEEPING

Organic Fish and Honey Systems

4.1 Organic Aquaculture (Fish Farming)

Small pond or tank system:

Screenshot_8.png

Relevance:

  • High protein food, fast turnover; integrates with BSF protein, organic feed production, and restaurant supply.

Screenshot_9.png

Relevance:

  • High-value organic honey, wax, propolis and critical pollination services for Moringa, fruit trees, and horticulture.

  • Excellent entry for women and youth groups within ABCs.

5. PERENNIAL TREE CROPS & AGROFORESTRY

Moringa Anchor + Nut Trees + Indigenous Trees

Perennial crops are the long-term wealth backbone of RUAIPP and ABCs, combining export value with carbon sequestration and land restoration.

​

5.1 Moringa Oleifera – Anchor Crop of RUAIPP

Organic Setup / ha:

Screenshot_10.png

Annual Gross Revenue / ha (indicative, leaves → powder):

  • 3–5 t dry leaf equivalent at ~US$6–10/kg wholesale → US$15,000 – 50,000+ per ha, depending on management, yields, and markets.

In your cluster model (70,000 trees, BWP 40/kg, multi-harvest), revenues per farmer are substantially higher, especially under best-case yields and efficient processing.

Strategic relevance:

  • Primary engine for USD 171 million+ cluster economies.

  • Contributes to nutrition, health, export earnings, and climate resilience.

  • Forms the heart of ABC processing plants (powder, tea, capsules, oil, feed).

Screenshot_11.png

5.3 High-Value Nuts and Fruit Trees (Macadamia, Pecan, Avocado, Citrus, Apples, Grapes)

Illustrative summary:

Screenshot_12.png

Relevance:

  • Establishes long-term, export-oriented orchards.

  • Integrates with juice, jam, drying, wine, vinegar and oil processing in ABC industrial clusters.

  • Ideal for patient capital and generational wealth building.

Screenshot_13.png

These crops are key pillars for regenerative land use, carbon credits, and diversified value chains.

6. MEDICINAL & NUTRACEUTICAL CROP SYSTEMS

RUAIPP’s high-value medicinal and nutraceutical crops position ABCs in global health, herbal tea, and wellness markets.

Screenshot_14.png

Relevance:

  • Highly suitable for small, intensive units run by women and youth.

  • Aligns strongly with global organic & wellness trends.

7. INDUSTRIAL, OILSEED & BIOENERGY CROPS

Castor, Jatropha, Spirulina, Sunflower

Screenshot_15.png
Screenshot_16.png
Screenshot_17.png

6. MEDICINAL & NUTRACEUTICAL CROP SYSTEMS

RUAIPP’s high-value medicinal and nutraceutical crops position ABCs in global health, herbal tea, and wellness markets.

Screenshot_20.png

STRATEGIC SUMMARY – HOW ALL THIS FITS RUAIPP & ABCs

  1. Moringa Oleifera is the Anchor Crop, driving cluster-level revenues, exports, health products, climate benefits, and strong DSCR for cluster loans.

  2. The 46+ high-value crops surrounding Moringa create diversified income streams, cushion risk, and enable:

    • food, feed, fibre, fuel, and pharma value chains

    • year-round employment and cash flow

    • vertical and horizontal integration within ABCs

  3. Activities cover the full spectrum of agriculture:

    • field crops, horticulture, livestock, aquaculture, beekeeping, agroforestry, medicinal crops, industrial oilseeds, bioenergy, fodder systems and timber.

  4. Every activity is designed to be:

    • organic, regenerative, and climate-smart

    • supportive of youth and women participation

    • suitable for value addition, processing, and exports

    • aligned with SDGs, ESG, and climate finance requirements

bottom of page