Real stories from CEIRD graduates and partner farmers who turned training, mentorship and starter inputs into thriving enterprises across the Eastern Cape.
From Graduate to Spar Egg Supplier
Nomvula Mthembu
2024 Incubation Cohort · Layer-hen Enterprise
After completing CEIRD’s incubation programme, Nomvula launched a layer-hen enterprise on her family’s land. Today she supplies fresh, graded eggs to a local Spar branch every week — turning a Production Input package into a steady, growing business.
A Co-operative Growing Vegetables for Market
Asanda Vegetable Co-operative
Farmer Support Programme · Middledrift
The Asanda co-operative joined CEIRD’s Farmer Support programme with a small backyard plot. With mentorship, seed inputs, and market linkages, they now harvest cabbages and spinach commercially — selling to schools, hawkers and weekend markets.
Building a Broiler Enterprise From Scratch
Sipho Khumalo
Skills Development Graduate · Broiler Producer
Sipho came through CEIRD’s SETA-accredited Skills Development course and used his R10,000 starter package to put up a small broiler house. He now runs a 500-bird cycle, has hired two helpers, and is preparing for his next round of expansion.
Empowering Injured-on-Duty Beneficiaries
Department of Labour Beneficiaries
March 2026 · Poultry Production Programme
Between 03 and 11 March 2026, CEIRD delivered full poultry production inputs to 16 Compensated Injured-on-Duty beneficiaries across six Eastern Cape districts — helping each one start or revive a broiler enterprise for income and food security.
Programme in Pictures
Scenes from the deliveries
A look at the poultry production input deliveries CEIRD ran for Compensated Injured-on-Duty beneficiaries across the Eastern Cape, March 2026.
Roll of Beneficiaries
The 16 enterprises we supported
From Mthatha to Gqeberha — every household that received poultry production inputs from CEIRD between 03 and 11 March 2026.
NURTURING RURAL FARMERS
We grow farmers,
not just crops.
Hands-on incubation
Practical training, mentorship and starter inputs that turn ideas into real, working agribusinesses across the Eastern Cape.
Skills that build careers
SETA-accredited short courses in poultry, vegetables, livestock and agro-processing — taught by people who farm for a living.
Markets that matter
We connect graduates to retailers, schools and community markets — so produce moves from field to fork and businesses grow.
