Between mid-July and October, the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) will roll out a series of green economy help desks across the province in partnership with GreenCape, a non-profit company that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions.
The help desks aim to equip agricultural producers, agribusinesses and other enterprises with the tools and information needed to invest in renewable energy and water-efficient technologies.
The initiative forms part of the province’s broader Green Economy Energy Resilience project, which supports a decisive shift to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
The green economy help desk campaign further reinforces the Western Cape’s broader effort to build a resource-efficient, inclusive economy that creates jobs, improves long-term competitiveness, and strengthens sustainability in one of South Africa’s most valuable agricultural regions.
By assisting farmers to adopt water and energy-saving technologies, the project aims to help them withstand external shocks and keep their operations viable.
“These roadshows seek to drive greater awareness on energy and water efficiency through help desks and the provision of information on energy-related and water-related matters,” Tyrese Rooi, Communications Officer at GreenCape told Farmer’s Weekly.
Sector experts
Farmers who attend will have the opportunity to book one-on-one consultations with sector experts who specialise in practical, economically viable technologies suited to farms and rural enterprises. They will also receive guidance on financing options, regulatory requirements and examples of successful installations in other farming operations.
Resources such as step-by-step guides for improving water security, an increasingly urgent priority in the Western Cape’s drought-prone regions, and strategies for lowering electricity costs by adopting renewable energy will be made available. Investment information packs and case studies will also be distributed to assist with decision-making and planning.
For many producers, the chance to access reliable, impartial advice is timely. Recent years have brought soaring input costs and increasing climate risks to agriculture across the Western Cape, heightening the need for long-term resilience.
The help desks will cover topics such as solar power, battery storage, efficient irrigation systems and greywater recycling, and practical solutions that can help farmers lower operational costs while securing water and energy supply.
Rooi said that although agriculture is a major focus, the help desks are open to all businesses and entrepreneurs in the Western Cape who want to explore sustainable solutions.
“The help desks are for all businesses and small, medium and micro enterprises across all economic value chains in the Western Cape, including the agricultural sector, such as farmers, producers, agri-processors, agribusinesses, agri-entrepreneurs and agricultural technology companies.”
Rooi added that the support doesn’t end when the roadshow ends.
“GreenCape’s sector desks provide support to businesses and investors by collecting, creating and disseminating free market intelligence on the green economy.”
Key dates and locations of the roadshow:
- 15 July – Saldanha Bay (West Coast)
- 29 July – Beaufort West (Central Karoo)
- 31 July – Mossel Bay (Garden Route)
- 17 September – Cape Town City Centre
- 7 October – Paarl (Cape Winelands)
- 9 October – Hermanus (Overberg)
