Murraysburg

During the mid-1800s a water conduit was constructed that delivered an uninterrupted water supply from the Buffels River to town, and lei water furrows distributed this to irrigated properties. A 1988 flood damaged the conduit, and the municipality hesitated to fix it, allowing it to fall into disrepair by the late 1990s.[3]

In 2007, new resident Chris Barr found that Murraysburg had very limited access to water. This was hampering the town's agricultural potential, despite its very fertile soil. Barr and local farmer Izak van der Merwe founded a development council to replace the former Murraysburg Environmental Forum. The Rooidamme water project was conceived as a way of visually creating hope for the town. During September to December 2017, local contractors utilized a R1.5 million grant from the Western Cape’s sustainable resource programme to invigorate the town’s water scheme, and the Water Affairs department renewed the town's water license.[3]

The Murraysburg heritage garlic cultivar had long been cultivated in the area. Garlic was identified as a labour intensive crop that would be resilient in the harsh climate. A 2016 pilot project introduced commercially valuable Egyptian white garlic, besides the local heritage garlic, and some 1.3 metric ton was harvested. In 2018, some 10,000 m² of croplands around town were planted, and the yield was divided between harvesting and replanting. A failed vegetable project, initiated but not sustained by government, was also dedicated to garlic.[3]

The town's Rooidamme water project, initiated by the community, was instrumental in placing these areas under irrigation. A company was formed by two residents, employing several residents and supplying several “out growers”. Women are involved in the packing of the garlic bulbs, with a warehouse planned. The 2020 harvest was expected to improve on that of 2019.[3]