Investors

Local Economic Development

Areas of opportunity for Kopanong Local Municipality;

  • Grain crops: The Free State province is major producer of maize and from this competitive advantages can be derived in the manufacturing sector through producing maize meal right in Kopanong. More land can be used to plough other grain crops such as barley and wheat.
  • Oilseeds: There is an opportunity to plant soyabeans, groundnuts and sunflower, with opportunities in the tertiary sector for production of cooking oil and other products.
  • Fruits: With the availability of grapes, opportunity exist for the wine industry to grow.
  • Vegetables: With two of South Africa’s busiest freeways, N1 and N6, cutting across the Kopanong municipal area, the potential for fresh vegetable production is high. Free State is well known for producing potatoes. Opportunities for warehousing and transport logistics exist, as well as processing of vegetables.
  • Floriculture: This is a big industry and export opportunities exist, especially with the Bloemfontein airport just 120 kilometers away from Kopanong.
  • Aquaculture: While the Free State province is land-locked, Kopanong has the right climate and water resources for fresh water fish farming and processing for export and national markets.
  • Cash crops: The possibility of engaging in cash crops such as cotton and other innovative crops exists.
  • Red meats: Livestock such as cattle and sheep are already in stock in Kopanong. This leads to opportunities for establishment of abattoirs for production of red meat, such as beef, mutton lamb, venison, etc.
  • White meats: Poultry production provides ample opportunity for small and new entrants. The processing can be down-scaled to SMME levels.
  • Dairy farming: The municipality is particularly poised for economic comparative advantage in milk production due to existence of stock farming.
  • Non-edible animal products: Leather hide, wool and other by-products are comparative advantages that can be used in conjunction with livestock production already in place within the municipality to package or produce leather and wool products
  • Agro-based pharmaceuticals: Cultivated and indigenous medical plants and crops present a wide possibility of economic opportunities. This relatively new field can be exploited to the benefit of new entrants in agriculture and agro-processing. Products for tourism can also be produced from these plants.
  • Bio-fuels: This field has a high potential of growth with the increase of cost of fossil-based crude oil on the world market. There is a prevalence of alternative bio fuels that can be produced and processed in the municipality, e.g., soyabean and sunflower based.

Documents of Interest

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