Our Journey
From humble beginnings to a leading producer of sweet peppers, avocados and other produce, Emseni Farming has indeed been farming with grace.
Join us on our journey of grace!
1969 Prior to the establishment of Emseni, the farmland was a wattle plantation spanning many hectares. The founder of KwaSizabantu Mission, the late missionary Reverend Erlo Stegen, emphasised the importance of providing for the physical needs of the community.
Together with a handful of dedicated co-workers, Reverend Stegen set to work clearing the land and planting staple vegetables.
About 2 years later they had enough cabbages, spinach and amadumbe to feed not only themselves but to sell in neighbouring Tugela Ferry and Maphumulo.
The Journey started in 1969
1971
First Dairy Cattle
Two to three cows are acquired to provide milk for the growing community.
1983
Reverend Stegen took the initiative to grow peppers in greenhouses
Glass greenhouses of 3000 m² are donated from Germany.
With the constant support of Reverend Stegen, different crop experiments are done.
1983
First Avocado Planting
The first 300 avocado trees are planted on fertile ground.
1986
Picking and Packing the First Avocado Harvest
Overjoyed to pick the first avocado fruit from our own trees.
Because there is no packaging facility, avocados are packed underneath the trees for the South African market supply.
1990
Increase in Avocado Plantation
In May and again in October, 1177 avocado trees are planted. This marks an amazing expansion to our orchards that spans 6.4 hectares of our land.
1991
Bottling and Selling Milk - KSB Dairy
Increased dairy herd results in surplus milk enabling milk to be bottled and dairy products to be sold under the name of KSB Dairy.
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1995
First Export of Avocados to Great Britain
First avocados are exported to Great Britain. At that time a basic packhouse was established.
1996 - 1998
Avocado Plantation Expansion
Avocado plantation expands by 8 hectares with 2060 avocado trees planted.
1998
Supplying Peppers to the Retail Market
Start supplying peppers to South African retail markets, through third party distributors.
1999
More Avocado Orchards
Just before the turn of the century, another 1385 avocado trees are planted.
2002 First plastic greenhouse
First plastic greenhouse built by Vegtech of 4 000 m².
2002
Further Expansions to the Avocado Orchard
Another 3.86 hectares of avocado trees are planted. This meant we have 1225 more trees that yield good fruit.
2002
New Dairy Farm
Due to an increase in the dairy herd to about 100 cows, a new farm is purchased in the Mooi River area. Emseni Farming Shandon (-29.197323012010962, 30.103023696018443).
2003
Food-Safe Accredited Packhouse
Completion of our first 'food safety accredited' packhouse for peppers. This is a milestone enabling Emseni to retail the peppers directly and independently.
2003
Bonlé - good milk
KSB Dairy name changes to Bonlé, derived from French, meaning 'good milk'.
2005-2007
Peppers and Avocado Lands Increase
As the area under peppers increases, so does the area planted with avocado trees. 5.49 hectares are planted with 1309 avocado trees.
In 2007, in January, a total of 2541 avocado trees are planted.
2007
Renovation and Expansion of our Packhouse
This allows all farm products to be packed under one roof, with the addition of a fully automated product grading line, capable of sorting by colour, weight and size.
2008
Erection of Biggest Greenhouse
Building the biggest hothouse built so far, of 1 hectare. Now we have ample space to grow our peppers in. 
2009 Community Upliftment in the Tugela Valley
Rev. Stegen starts a community upliftment project at Maqhogo. This area was previously covered with thornbushes, but under Rev. Stegen’s guidance and supervision, the fertile soil is discovered and transformed into community gardens planted with a variety of vegetables. Experiments are conducted to see which fruit crops are suited to be planted on this farm. These include dates, lemons, granadillas, grapefruit, yellow and white dragon fruit, mangoes and litchis.
2012-2015
Big Addition to Avocado Orchard
Marking a big addition to our avocado orchard, 8 885 trees are planted, an addition of 29.05 hectares to our avocado orchards.
Again in 2015, another 33 hectares of avocado trees are planted.
2013-2015
Large Expansion of Greenhouse Tunnels
With the ever-growing demand for peppers in South Africa, increased farmlands and sufficient water supply, together with a big expansion of 4 hectares of greenhouses is made possible, which increases our total greenhouse area to 6.5 hectares. Another 2 hectares of greenhouses are added in 2015.
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2014
Hydroponic Lettuce Growing
Start of hydroponically grown lettuce, with integrated nursery. Starting with the conventional iceberg variety, followed by butter, cos lettuce and kale.
2016
Avocado Nursery
Due to poor availability of avocado seedling trees in South Africa, (commercial nurseries are under pressure), Mr Joosten decides to start our own nursery. Staff is up-skilled with specialised training to graft own trees into locally grown rootstock. These trees are for own cultivation of orchards and for distribution to our local community. Emseni Farming Avocado Project
2017
Designing of Emseni Logo
Designing of Emseni Logo, with integrated Cedar tree which links us directly to Kwasizabantu Mission (tree also very appropriate to farming operation). Cedar tree symbolic of a place of rest and renewal of strength to continue in the walk of faith.
2018
Pepper Nursery with new and improved technology
Nursery with new and improved technology allowing us to grow bigger plants, thereby reducing the downtime in the greenhouses. The new, improved irrigation technology reduces diseases of plants.
2018
More Avocado Land
12 hectares of seedling avocado trees are planted, almost 5000 new trees in our orchards.
2019 Another 4,735 avocado trees planted over an area of 9 hectares.
2021 Addition of 3 hectares of Technologically Advanced Greenhouses
Increases total area to 11 hectares. New Emseni Farming Greenhouses
2023
Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are installed, supplying renewable energy to one third of the greenhouse operations.
2023
Farming Operations in Magoso
In the area of Magoso (location link), existing farming operations are revived. Tunnel structures for consistent seedling planting are erected. Large scale vegetable farming in the area opens an opportunity to start a farm stall for the greater populated area. An irrigation room is built to assist farming operations in a dry land.
250 Citrus trees are planted.
2023
Building 3 More Hectares of New Greenhouses
Building an additional 3 hectares of greenhouses to be in production by Dec 2024.
A work that began with 6 dedicated co-workers has grown to a large farm with over 600 employees.
With plans for further expansions, we trust God that Emseni Farming will continue to grow with grace and that through this work many lives will be touched.
Makube uWena obusisayo ngomusa Wakho.
May You, Lord, bless this work through Your grace.
Reverend EH Stegen - April 2021
