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GroSpace – Contract farming

If you want to farm on contract then you will be required to follow a strict set of rules including and not limited to using GroSpace seed, GroMass® growing medium and sustainably sourced packaging. In the case of livestock farming the feed and packaging is supplied at a subsidised rate

This is to ensure quality and continuity throughout the supply chain. Sustainable farming practices are fundamental in farming the GroSpace way.

Join GroSpace and volunteer to learn how to farm sustainably without pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides.

Offtake Contracts for Farmers

Option 1: A Promising Beginning

Are you ready to embark on a journey to transform your farming venture into a consistent and thriving business? Our Offtake Contracts are designed to provide you with an opportunity to test the waters and gauge the market. The first option is tailored for those just starting out, looking for a chance to prove their potential.

How to raise capital for farming?

GroSpace sends out a consultant to assess your business through an audit process. The consultant works with a team of auditors to perform due diligence of the farming opportunity and prepares a report which in turn leads to the preparation of a business plan. This business plan is submitted and motivated to relevant funding houses and this results in funding for your project.

Most funding houses are looking for an Offtake contract. GroSpace’s marketing affiliates develop market demand for products that your farmer is looking to produce so that the funding house is funding a project with a guaranteed offset point. GroSpace’s market platform secures orders which form the foundation for an Offtake contract which is issued to the funding house in support of the funding application.

Which farming activity do you have in mind?

What to Expect from Option 1:

  • Market Trial: We’ll begin with a trial period to evaluate your products in the market. This is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate the quality and consistency of your produce.
  • 2024 Potential: If your performance in the trial period shows promise and consistency, we’re excited to discuss the possibility of issuing a contract for the year 2024. This can provide you with long-term stability and assurance.
  • Communication: We encourage you to communicate this transition to your existing buyers and partners. Let them know about the advancements in your business and your commitment to excellence.

Option 2: For Proven Success

Option 2 is specifically designed for experienced farmers who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence through a proven track record. To qualify for this option, you should have successfully completed at least three production cycles and adhered to strict production parameters.

What Option 2 Offers:

  • Long-Term Partnership: With this option, you can enter into a long-term partnership with us. We believe in your capabilities and want to offer stability and support for your continued success.
  • Enhanced Commitment: We recognize your commitment to maintaining high production standards and are ready to reciprocate that commitment in our partnership.
  • Consistency: Your consistent performance has earned you this option, and we expect to see continued excellence in your production.

Your Path to Success

We highly value your interest in our Offtake Contracts. We believe that these options will enable you to chart your path to farming success. Option 1 provides a starting point for newcomers, while Option 2 acknowledges the hard work and commitment of seasoned farmers. No matter where you are in your farming journey, these contracts are designed to provide you with the stability and resources you need to thrive in the farming industry. Get started today and begin your journey toward success.

What do I need to know to farm for GroSpace in a village?

You will need access to land. This land could be owned by GroSpace and leased to you for the duration of the farming contract or it could be your own land. The rental fee is nominal. The rental fee is equivalent to 1% of the property value.

You can apply for funding using land or livestock as collateral. The idea is not to slow down the progress but to create opportunity. 

With this said though, a commitment from both sides is necessary.

How can I fund my startup farm?

GroSpace and financial institutions can invest in your farming activity based on the following primary documents:

  • Offtake contract from GroSpace – this is the main reason for the cost, we find customers in the market and this requires funding.
  • Professional Business Plan
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address
  • Proof of Ownership in the case of land acquisition

Step 1:

The farmer orders a consultation:
Here is the link that you need to place an order for the consulting .

https://2024recovery.grospace.co.za/product/farming-consulting

Step 2:

The farmer forwards a proof of payment using their order number as reference:
This video shows an example:

We need step 2 to register on the system so that your payment doesn’t get mixed with another farmer and so that if you need a refund for whatever reason, it can be processed using the order reference number.

Step 3:

A consultant will visit your farm and spend 1 day up to a week performing a SWOT analysis.

The GroSpace consultant convenes with a team and prepares a business plan of action and advises the board of directors on a direction for your farm.

You can use this source to assist you:

Step 4:

Fund raising process:
Private equity
Government funding

Collateral required

Title deed required along with a lease agreement from the land owner for 99 years subject to specific clauses that prevent current land inhabitants from being dispossessed of their access to the land and prevents future generations from claiming the land after land developments. This protects GroSpace’s investment and the owner of the land.

Step 5:

Break ground 👌

What is an offtake contract?

Where GroSpace is concerned, an offtake contract is a digital binding contract to buy a certain amount of a farm’s output, this value is usually 100% of the farm’s output. GroSpace treats partner farms as franchises which means that these farms are required to follow a stringent set of rules to maintain the corporate image and quality control.

What does this mean for the farmer?

A GroSpace should be kept productive and pleasant to the eye. Transparent records should be maintained and a strict level of hygiene should be maintained. Farmers can focus on productivity and quality control knowing that their output is guaranteed to be sold. Farmers have a strict direction to follow which is documented in the professional business plan.

How much does it cost to get started with an offtake contract?

A consulting fee covers a set of professional services that you can use to establish your business and even raise capital from government/institutional funding. This starts with a site inspection and a friendly Q/A session with one of our official GroSpace business development consultants. If you have your own business plan that is not relevant to this process. GroSpace consultants need to understand your business and spend time in the market developing interest for your farming activity. This costs time and money. Some offtake contracts take upto 12 months to prepare due to the scope and scale of the offtake contract

GroSpace Contract Growing: Your Path to Excellence

At GroSpace, we value and recognize the dedication and commitment of our farmers. We understand that a track record of consistent and successful farming is an achievement worthy of celebration. That’s why we’ve created an exclusive opportunity for farmers with a proven history on our platform to take their journey to the next level. Contract growing awaits those who have demonstrated their expertise and reliability in the field.

What is a Track Record at GroSpace?

A track record is a testament to your farming proficiency and consistency. To qualify for contract growing opportunities at GroSpace, you need to fulfill specific criteria based on your area of specialization.

For Poultry Farmers

  • Three Cycles: For poultry farmers, a track record encompasses a minimum of three cycles. Each cycle, in the case of broilers, consists of approximately 35 days of growth.

For Grain Farmers

  • Cyclical Seasons: For grain farmers, a cycle is defined by a complete season of farming. This could involve planting and harvesting crops. For example, cultivating yellow maize, from seed to harvest, takes roughly 120 days.
  • Seasonal Variation: Successful grain farmers might alternate between summer and winter crops, cultivating over an 18-month period. This variety and consistency are essential to becoming a contract farmer for grain.

Unlocking Contract Growing Opportunities

At GroSpace, we appreciate your commitment to sustainable and profitable farming. Your track record showcases your dedication and proficiency. It’s an acknowledgment of your contribution to our vibrant farming community.

How Does Contract Growing Work?

Contract growing signifies a deeper level of partnership with GroSpace. As a contract farmer, you’ll receive unique opportunities and benefits, such as:

  • Dedicated Support: Access to personalized support and guidance from GroSpace experts.
  • Specialized Contracts: Engage in specialized contracts based on your area of farming, whether it’s poultry or grain.
  • Growth and Profitability: A platform for expanding your operations, improving your earnings, and fostering sustainable growth.

The Invitation to Excellence

Receiving an invitation for contract growing from GroSpace is a recognition of your exceptional achievements as a farmer. It’s an opportunity to embark on a journey that promises both personal and professional growth. As a contract farmer, you’ll be an integral part of our mission to transform the farming landscape through modern, sustainable, and innovative practices.

Your dedication has set you on a path toward new and exciting possibilities. We believe in your potential and are excited to support you as you continue your journey with GroSpace.

Please note that the specific criteria and details regarding contract growing opportunities may vary. If you have received an invitation or are aiming to achieve this milestone, our team will provide you with personalized guidance and information tailored to your unique circumstances.

Your Journey to Becoming a GroSpace Contract Farmer

Embarking on the path to becoming a GroSpace contract farmer is an exciting and rewarding adventure. It all starts with a few fundamental steps, and your dedication to understanding the GroSpace platform and your commitment to delivering high-quality products are the keys to success.

1. Register for a Free Vendor Account on GroSpace

Your journey begins with the first step: creating your vendor account on GroSpace. It’s easy and, most importantly, free. To get started:

  • Visit GroSpace: Navigate to the GroSpace website and click on the “Vendor Registration” or similar link to begin the process.
  • Read and Learn: Take some time to explore the platform and familiarize yourself with how GroSpace operates. Understanding the platform’s inner workings is essential.

2. Set Up Your Account

To make your vendor account ready for action, follow these steps:

  • Profile Pictures: Upload high-quality photos and images that represent your products and your brand. Visuals are vital for attracting potential customers.

3. Show Your Worth: Sell and Build Your Track Record

  • Sales: As a new vendor on the GroSpace platform, your primary mission is to start selling. Whether it’s fresh produce, products, or services, actively promote what you have to offer.
  • Upgrade Potential: Your ability to upgrade your account to advanced vendor packages hinges on your sales performance. Before you can upgrade, you need to demonstrate that your business is viable on the platform.

4. Price Strategically

  • Competitive Pricing: While selling your products on GroSpace, it’s important to find a balance between profitability and market competitiveness. Keep in mind that GroSpace takes a 20% commission on all sales, so adjust your pricing accordingly.

5. Use Paid Advertising

  • Online Advertising: To boost your presence and attract more potential customers, consider using online advertising tools like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. These platforms can help you promote your GroShop and reach a broader audience.

6. Dedicate Time and Effort

  • Consistency: For new vendors, dedicating at least an hour every day to your GroSpace account is a valuable practice. This consistency helps you engage with customers, promote your products, and enhance your profile.
  • Regular Updates: Keep your product descriptions fresh by updating them at least once a week. Detailed and enticing descriptions can significantly impact your sales.

7. Prove Your Worth

As you gain traction and make sales on the platform, you’ll prove the worth of your business to GroSpace. The quality of your products, your dedication to customer service, and your overall performance will contribute to your eligibility for an upgrade to a more advanced vendor package.

Remember, GroSpace is more than just a platform; it’s a supportive community that encourages your growth as a farmer or vendor. Your journey to becoming a contract farmer begins with taking these initial steps, embracing consistency, and delivering value to your customers. The potential is boundless, and the opportunities are yours to seize. Welcome to the world of GroSpace, where sustainable and profitable farming meets innovation and success.

Contracts for growing

Layer contract for offtake

You will get a contract for offtake on your eggs if you choose to do egg layers. GroSpace requires that you pay for a professional business plan which includes a site visit and an offtake contract. GroSpace is offering offtake contracts that are as small as 1250 hens up to 50 000+ laying hens. Use your offtake contract to apply for funding and get started in your farming journey.

Broiler contract for offtake

Broiler contracts are open for weekly batches per farmer.

Startup costs:

To summarise for a chicken grower farm you will require around R350 000-R500 000

🌲 Contract Farming Opportunity: Wood Chips and Firewood Production 🌲

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for individuals and businesses interested in contract farming for the production of wood chips and firewood. This initiative presents a lucrative chance to contribute to the sustainable production of valuable wood products. Here are the key details:

Process Guidelines:

  1. Moisture Levels: Ensure that the moisture levels in your wood products do not exceed 15%. This is crucial for maintaining the quality and longevity of the final products.
  2. Structured Process: Applicants are expected to follow a well-structured production process, adhering to industry standards and best practices. This ensures the delivery of high-quality wood products.

Contract Specifications:

  • Product Options: Contracts are available for the production of wood products in various forms, including logs, shavings, wood chips, or pre-packed bags of firewood.
  • Minimum Collection: Each contract allows for a minimum collection of 34 tons on-site. This flexibility allows farmers to choose the most suitable form of wood product for their production capabilities.
  • Product Specificity: Contracts will be defined by a specific wood product. This specialization ensures that each farmer can focus on producing the type of wood product that aligns with their expertise and resources.

Why Choose Contract Farming with Us?

  • Lucrative Opportunity: Contract farming in the wood industry provides a sustainable and profitable venture for individuals and businesses alike.
  • Support and Guidance: Our team is committed to providing support and guidance throughout the farming process. We believe in fostering strong partnerships with our contract farmers.
  • Contribution to Sustainability: By participating in this program, you contribute to the sustainable production of wood products, playing a vital role in the conservation of our environment.

How to Apply:

  1. Fill out the application form with accurate details.
  2. Submit the contract farming registration fee.
  3. Await confirmation and further instructions from our team.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to be part of the sustainable wood production industry. Apply now and embark on a journey towards a rewarding and environmentally conscious venture.

🌳 Let’s grow together, sustainably! 🌳

Forestry Registration Form

GroDriver Collection and Delivery

As soon as the driver collects they start the delivery process. Once the GroDriver makes delivery they take the signature of the receiver along with a photo of the identity of the receiver and the trip is completed. This completes the order and automatically generates a payout request for you to get paid via eft. Make sure to eter your banking details in your store manager.

Cash payment and/or collection

In the case of a collection or a cash transaction, your account will be required to be loaded with funds that will be deducted after the transaction is marked as complete by you as the vendor from your store manager.

Collection by buyer after EFT into escrow

In the case of a collection by the buyer who has paid via eft to book the stock, you the vendor will need to follow the same procedure as for a cash payment. You head over to your store manager and elect the order ID and mark it as complete.

Access to investment/funding

You will need a professional business plan from one of our official assessors which will be prepared after a site visit along with proof of identity and proof of address. If you are interested in selling your land to GroSpace to raise capital you will need to show proof of ownership(title deed). A farmer can sell their land to GroSpace and get access to investment capital. Farmers can later purchase their land back from GroSpace at fair value taking into account the improvements that GroSpace has made and adjusting the value accordingly. Farmers that own their land and have a title deed to prove ownership or a lease agreement can apply for funding.

Hatchery offtake contract

Join the GroSpace hatchery network today.

Buyback program

Here are the prices

Broiler Ferile eggs

Hatcheries pay R4.50 for broiler eggs. GroChick will buy back day-old chicks at R10
with an expected throughput (hatch rate) >70%

Free Range Fertile Eggs

R5 for free range eggs buyback day-old chicks at R7.5
75%-95% throughput

Grain contract for offtake

2 Tons harvest per hectare using the three sisters’ dryland sustainable farming method.

  • White Maize
  • Yellow Maize
  • Wheat
  • Sunflower

Vegetable contract for offtake

GroSpace is creating opportunities for the youth to learn from their elders. Young farmers can shadow experienced farmers to learn the tricks for success when farming the GroSpace way. GroSpace believes that we should all share the knowledge of our forefathers. You can go far with the youth, and use your land to raise capital through GroSpace. First, though we will send out a professional consultant to advise you and prepare a professional business plan to bring back to the investors at GroSpace to assess.

Contracts for Kenya:

You are encouraged to follow GroSpace – the online farmers market, to apply for the Kenyan offtake contracts. You can certainly supply the contract sooner if you are financially capable to inject the capital. However, should you require financial assistance you can book a site visit with one of our professional farming consultants.

During the visit, our consultant will advise and prepare a professional business plan which can be used for funding applications.

Get started as a contract farmer

  1. Get registered on GroSpace as a vendor
  2. Request for an official GroSpace farming consultant to prepare a professional GroSpace business plan including a farm visit
  3. Show proof of intent by paying for the required inputs or applying for funding
  4. Add your forecasted harvest as a product on your GroShop(this creates a future contract that GroSpace traders will purchase)
  5. Plant the seeds that you purchase from GroSpace(this maintains quality and continuity)
  6. Catalogue the progress of your farming on your GroShop with photos of your crops or livestock. These photos must be taken on a weekly basis to illustrate the overall progress of your farming activities. (Farmers will receive more access to capital for consistency)
  7. If this is not complied with, your GroSpace partner will inquire about the situation and assist where possible. (Mobile data is costly and many farmers don’t have access to the internet which is why GroSpace farmers get access to wifi at their GroSpaces).

The contract is terminated when a farmer declines communication or the product upload is more than 14 days behind schedule.

Request a phone call with one of our friendly sales agents

Next, you can book a time slot using the button below

Book a video meeting using this link

Posted on

How to market GroSpace to the public on Facebook

In this post, you will learn how to connect with your audience on Facebook to monetize your conversations and build your customer base on GroSpace.

Visit the GroSpace Facebook page daily to share and comment on the daily post. Use the daily post as a guide for what to promote on the Farming Facebook groups to assist interested farmers. Try to assist farmers and point them to the GroSpace Facebook page by adding @grospace and clicking the link that pops up with the GroSpace logo. You can see how it looks below

You should also give the GroSpace Facebook page a good review when you are happy with your experience. 👍

The market segment on Facebook is the emerging black farmer who needs assistance to get established with training and help online. ie farmers usually go to a co-op like ALZU or OBARO to ask for assistance. The modern farmer is too far from these shops but they have access to Facebook and Whatsapp. Use these two platforms to offer assistance to emerging farmers regarding treating disease and “how-to” info for farmers looking to expand into new farming fields.

How to drive engagement on Facebook

All that you will need to do as a digital marketing agent or business developer on GroSpace is to engage and ask questions of your future farmers. Start by talking to them on the posts, ask Questions like:

  • Are you passionate about farming layer chickens?
  • Do you have land to farm?
  • How much land do you have to farm?
  • Do you own the land?
  • Is it your first time farming?
  • Would you like to farm on contract?
  • Have you got a chicken coop?
  • Have you got a secure storage space like a garage or a spare room?
  • Do you have customers?
  • Follow @grospace

Just remember that the more people that engage on a post, the more that Facebook will push it viral especially if the comments are back and forth and form a conversation. That is when you will get more interested people who will become leads for your to assist and ultimately sell to.

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When to plant and what to plant in Gauteng South Africa

GroSpace - Seeds
GroSpace - Planting Schedule in Gauteng
GroSpace – Planting Schedule in Gauteng

Look at this image above to decide which seeds you want to buy from GroSpace to grow in your garden or farm. This should be a 3000-word piece of copy however we have shortened it for your convenience. 

Just kidding – we are millennials and we prefer to be super-efficient. If you are looking to buy seeds click the link below:

Buy seeds here

Posted on 4 Comments

Prospective GroSpace – The Old Mill @ Happy Acres

GroSpace - Logo

Hi Lynn

This is a post to track our communications and to document our project plan as it grows so that we can plan resources efficiently. Changes cost time and money. Best we follow a sound plan with measurable deadlines.

The relationship roles as I see them are as follows:

  • Roland – Project Manager for the development of a regenerative agricultural GroSpace at the Old Mill
  • GroSpace – Online market for purchases and sales of all finished products that are produced through the farming operations at The Old Mill
  • Lynn – Franchise Financier (A financier is a person, company, or government that provides money for projects or businesses.) Lynn to pay for the rollout of the GroSpace project at The Old Mill.
  • Happy Acres – Accommodation for youth camps oriented around sustainability, regenerative agriculture and nature appreciation.
  • NPO – funding for trained agriculture graduate labour program
  • The Old Mill – Physical GroSpace for farming and practical training which will be run for profit. The Old Mill will be registered on GroSpace as a verified vendor.

The skeleton for the project plan can be found here:
Project Plan

If you found this interesting and you would like to turn your space into a GroSpace then use the form below to apply.

Fill in the form below to apply for your GroSpace franchise today