Papaya - Mangoes

In 2009 Reverend Stegen started a community upliftment project at Maqhogo (location link). The area was previously overgrazed by communal livestock, thorn shrub dominated the landscape, making it almost impenetrable with little or no value for grazing, and given the use, erosion was scaring the landscape.

Located alongside the life-giving Tugela River, hot climate and beautiful soils, Reverend Stegen rightfully recognised the potential of this land and with his supervision, the fertile soils were transformed, firstly into community vegetable gardens that could provide a source of healthy food for the community and even a small income.

Experimental trials were laid out to see which fruit crops were suited to this unique climate and specifically on this farm.
The trials include dates, pomegranates, papaya, lemons, granadillas, grapefruit, yellow dragon fruit, mangoes and litchis.