“It’s time to level up” echoed through the fields of Polokwane, Limpopo, setting the tone for Food For Mzansi’s farmers’ day. Over 200 people gathered, embarking on a journey to uncover best practices to enhance their farming operations and thrive in the challenging agricultural sector.
Host farmer Kgaugelo Thosago, director of Ramahwidi Farming and Projects, said farmers in the province have been thirsty for information on how to grow their businesses. The event was part of Food For Mzansi’s nationwide initiative in partnership with Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (Yard).
‘We’re on the right path’
Deeply impressed with the success of the day, Thosago expressed his gratitude to exhibitors, panellists, and farmers who attended. “Today has been incredible and what makes it incredible is the exhibitors who are here, adding to the experience; the farmers who also came and are learning from the panel of speakers,” he said.
“They are inspired to see people who are just like them – black and young – and hear a story where the beginning is similar to theirs. It makes it more realistic. It makes the dream attainable for anyone who listened.”
According to Thosago, events such as Food For Mzansi’s farmers’ days are critical for producer development and to enhance the appetite for farming, mainly in deep rural areas. “It’s been a great day. The overall experience has been amazing.”
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A huge role to play
Noko-Mokoka Malahlela, deputy director at the Limpopo department of agriculture and rural development, highlighted the importance of farmers in the country. They are the backbone of the economy and have the potential to create jobs in rural areas.
Malahlela said it was important for the public and private sectors to collaborate and make the country’s food secure in the midst of the many challenges faced by farmers.
Meanwhile, CropLife South Africa stewardship coordinator Hiresh Ramanad highlighted the responsible use of pesticides and urged farmers to familiarise themselves with the pros and cons of the usage of pesticides.
Shertina Maremane, the Limpopo provincial manager at Land Bank, explained the difference between the three segments of the institution’s funding products, namely blended finance, the Agro-Energy Fund, and standard funding.
Information is valuable
Well-known cattle and sheep farmer Ananias Rapholo gave tips on how farmers can fast-track towards commercialisation. He also urged farmers to see farming as a business, always have a reputable financial record, treat their farmworkers as family, take care of them invest in the business and more.
On this, Thosago added: “It is very important to have farmers’ days as often as possible and in the most rural of places to stimulate growth.”
He said that financial management was critically important. “If you can plan, you are planning a certain trajectory, so without external financing, you can already predict somewhat where you are going to be.
“Commercialisation is an exponential factor, so your growth can be raised exponentially if you can gear your financing. If you can’t and you’re just getting money in only to flow out again, you’re not going to reach commercialisation. So, commercialisation and financing go hand-in-hand when you start understanding your internal flow before getting an injection. Once you get the injection, you know how to amplify your own growth,” he said.
Youth levelling up
North West livestock farmer and Yard national coordinator Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni was excited by how beneficial the programme was for attendees.
“What unfolded on the programme is interesting and you can see that the older generation is willing to pass the baton on to the younger generation. Commercialising is important for emerging farmers and collaboration is important. The market needs consistency and young people need to tap into the space of compliance,” she said.
She advised young start-up farmers to never stop working together.
“My advice is to make use of these organisations [present at the Food For Mzansi event]. If there is an opportunity to work together and share in the challenges that we have, we can come up with programmes that are similar and can help combat them,” she said.
Planning to improve
Kwa-Molepo crop farmer Molotho Sefara said his biggest take-home lesson was the presentation about the Khula! app, adding that he did not realise that some apps can make life so much easier as a farmer. Now, he believes, he won’t have to drive long distances to buy products he needs on his farm when it’s just a click away.
“I think commercialising as black farmers is very important because sometimes, we are just happy with planting a certain crop and supping our family and neighbours. Instead, we need to grow and make money because the sky is the limit.
“After today, I want to try and instil a more family kind of vibe with my workers and plan because it is always better to plan. If I can plan for the next six months, I will know what to do for the whole summer season. By knowing what to plant, I can maximise my farm,” he said.
Energised to push harder
Meanwhile, a start-up crop and livestock farmer from Zebediela, Mahlakwane Folethi, described the day as “perfect” because he had the opportunity to meet with other farmers and learn new things that could improve his business.
He told Food For Mzansi that the information shared energised him.
“I always want to do things at my own pace but coming here is pushing me to work much harder. The challenges I think I am having, I realised are not as big, but I can combat them now. Now I know what to do correctly and how to approach my finances,” he said.
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