Limpopo farmer Mokgomotsi Morodi started his agricultural journey during the Covid-19 pandemic and the imposed lockdown in 2020. This came after conducting research for his honours degree in agribusiness management at the University of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal. Soon, his agripreneurship venture, Morodi Agro-production, came into existence.
Morodi conducted research on how climate change affects food security in the uMhlathuze local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. His research revealed that the residents of Kwadlangezwa rely heavily on food cultivation as a means of generating income to purchase other necessities.
According to Morodi, most people living in the uMhlathuze local municipality lack employment opportunities and therefore resort to selling fruits and vegetables at designated areas such as stalls and taxi ranks in order to make a living.
Impact of climate change
“Upon my discovery, I realised that the consequences of climate change significantly influence the availability of food in the uMhlathuze region. Considering the occurrence of climate change in South Africa, it is imperative that we take necessary actions to address it,” he explains.
Some of his research findings were that the most significant challenge in Mzansi is the rise in food prices, and if the effects of climate change persist, Mzansi will experience challenges in accessing sufficient food.
Working towards a goal
Morodi has a deep passion for setting and pursuing goals. He accumulated his National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds for a duration of three months until he completed his academic programme in 2019.
“I constructed a watering hole at home and procured various farming materials such as water pipes, seedlings, fertilisers, a wheelbarrow, trowel, bolo, weeding hoe, and spades.”
Morodi began cultivating potatoes, brinjal, tomatoes, and cabbage on half a hectare of his family’s land situated in Sekhukhune, Glen Cowie in Limpopo.
In 2020, he procured three goats, and two years later an additional three goats. He now owns nine goats.
Morodi started practising a rotation-based cultivation method. According to him, preserving the soil structure is crucial as it not only enhances the ability to retain water, which is vital for different crop requirements, but also enables the identification of crops suitable for the region.
“Crop rotation can aid in effective pest management by identifying beneficial control measures for your crops.”
Sustainable farming is the way to go
Morodi says to address the issues of food production and unemployment in Mzansi, it is imperative to instil necessary skills in children from a young age so as to ensure effective hunger control and generate employment prospects.
He expresses his desire to provide food and conducts educational sessions to equip people with the knowledge of cultivating crops in any available area. “Growing food in our window sills and backyards can be a more viable option at this time of need in South Africa,” he says.
He has loyal customers based within his community, including his neighbours from Glen Cowie, street vendors, and nearby vegetable stalls.
Cultivate wherever you can
“It is ideal to cultivate sprouts in the nooks of our kitchens and explore various other methods to produce food that is essential in South Africa. This is especially crucial at present, with the challenges posed by food inflation and the prevailing challenge of hunger.”
He also notes that sustainable farming is more common in rural areas, where there is plenty of land and free water from dams and rivers.
“Occasionally, it is possible to find yourself without helpful connections or assistance when in a state of need.”
As a result, it is crucial to develop the ability to survive difficult situations on your own, he advises.
This farmer aims to inspire others by conveying his knowledge and skills in that regard, in the hopes of making a positive impact throughout Africa.
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