Bennie Knott came to Nottingham Estate in 1953. He started with cash cropping and cattle, and later phased out cattle due to constant drought.
In the early 50’s the Chronicle Newspaper wrote an article about the Beitbridge District stating that the area was a desert area fit for Baboons, and Baboons only.
All irrigation was done using diesel pumps as there was no electricity. Electricity was later installed in the early 70’s. In response to a growing electricity supply crisis, building of the 1500KW Nottingham Estate Solar Power Station began on 15th January 2016.
Cotton was slowly phased out as biological control on citrus was started.
Bennie passed away in 1975 leaving his sons Keith and Harley who continued farming citrus. Bennie’s grandsons, Andrew and Byron, have since taken over the running of the estate.
With water being a constant challenge, Mushiloshokwe Dam was built in 1995 for irrigation. And in 2017, Mpande Dam was built as an additional water storage dam for irrigation.