The provincial agriculture department has partnered with a new venture, Soetmelksvlei, to provide genetic plant material derived from the department’s extensive fig collection at its Oudtshoorn research farm for establishment at the two farms in the Franschhoek Valley.
To mark the historic day, Dr Ivan Meyer, provincial Minister for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, planted a unique and extraordinary variety of figs, the Cape Black Fig, at a tree-planting ceremony at the historic fig orchard at Soetmelksvlei on World Tourism Day Friday 27 September.
According to Dr Ilse Trautmann, the department’s Deputy Director-General of Research and Regulatory Services, its research farm in Oudtshoorn has the most extensive collection of fig cultivars in South Africa.
She also added that the Beurre pear orchard, a significant part of local agricultural history, was the first research orchard to be planted at another of the department’s research farms, Elsenburg, in 1896. Genetic material from these orchards has been preserved since 2014 under strict protocols at the South African Plant Improvement Organisation outside Stellenbosch.
“Great value can be derived from our partnership with Soetmelksvlei and our joint desire to preserve this genetic source,” added Trautmann. “The decision to offer these special fig cultivars to the heritage gardens at Babylonstoren coincided with the further expansion of its newest venture, Soetmelksvlei. This provided the ideal place to plant one of the cultivars in their historic fig orchard.”
Adele Johnson, head of Soetmelksvlei, describes it as a place that offers visitors a glimpse into farm life in the previous century.
“Soetmelksvlei, an interactive farmyard set in the late 19th century, offers visitors an opportunity to experience its unique fruit orchards and very soon newly established historic fig orchard, including the cultivar from the WCDoA.”
By planting the tree the provincial government acknowledged Soetmelksvlei’s role in preserving the Western Cape’s agricultural heritage and promoting agritourism, Meyer pointed out.
Living heritage projects such as Soetmelksvlei contribute to the provinces’s agri-tourism landscape.
“In the Western Cape, agri-tourism is a significant pillar of the provincial tourism economy,” Meyer explained.
“Wine tourism, in particular, performs very well and is an integral part of the local tourism industry. It directly contributed R3,05 billion to the South African GDP, employing 6 304 permanent employees, 4 798 casual employees during peak season, and another 2 870 casual employees in 2022.
“These farms offer wonderful experiences such as flower picking, harvesting, teaching people how to make cheese, and more. Whether you are a local or just visiting, exploring our farms is a must.”
