The Jobs Fund partnered with Hortgro on the DFDC Commercialisation Programme, which aimed to graduate black smallholder deciduous fruit producers to commercial status.

The programme assisted 21 emerging PDI farmers to commercialise their operations and improve productivity at farm level through technical skills development and mentorship, facilitating market access to premium export markets, assisting with quality standards, assistance with production inputs and the provision of required machinery and equipment.

During the programme, over 200 ha of fruit has been planted, 1,661 jobs were facilitated and 542 beneficiaries were trained (farmers and workers).