On this episode of the Farmer Mentor series, Lufuno Nethsikhudini opens up about the tough realities of farming, including a devastating loss of 90% of his cabbage crop and a six-year struggle to get funding for his poultry project.
For Bonsmara farmer Lufuno Nethsikhudini, it began with curiosity and a single visit. As a teenager, he walked through a commercial farm and felt a connection to the soil and the life it produced. That connection turned into action when he started a vegetable garden at his school, taking his first steps into the world of agriculture.
That humble beginning has since blossomed into something extraordinary and today, Nethsikhudini manages 380 hectares of farmland in Makhado, Limpopo. He fondly remembers selling the tomatoes he grew on the school property to local spaza shops, earning up to R500 a week.
Now, his farming operation includes breeding Bonsmara cattle – a breed he describes as “like having gold” due to its esteemed reputation – and cultivating cash crops.
“This industry is not for the chance takers. You have to be committed to survive in the farming sector,” Nethsikhudini stresses.
From Bonsmara to poultry
He recalls how the unpredictable nature of farming tested his patience when a hailstorm destroyed 90% of his cabbage crop just two weeks before harvest. “It was really, really bad,” Nethsikhudini shares.
Looking to the future, he plans to venture into poultry farming with a chicken hatchery, selling day-old chicks. However, getting here has not been easy
“The road to success hasn’t been without its challenges. Securing funds for the chicken hatchery project took over six years,” he explains.
Nethsikhudini attributes much of his farm’s stability to disciplined financial management. “If you’re not disciplined in your finances, my friend, unfortunately, there’s no way where you’re going but under,” he warns.
His strategy involves keeping separate accounts for livestock and cash crops, allowing him to track cash flow and profitability efficiently.
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Learning global agricultural practices
Beyond his Bonsmara and cabbage farming activities, Nethsikhudini is the national youth coordinator for the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa).
In this role, he assists farmers with business planning, farm management, and creating networking opportunities for young farmers. “My job is to recruit and make one big platform for youth to network, engage, and share opportunities to elevate their farming ventures.”
His international travels to countries like France, the Netherlands, and Mozambique have broadened his perspective on global agricultural practices. He was particularly inspired by how youth organisations in France influence agricultural policy at a parliamentary level.
“If we can have such representation in our country, where people who know what’s happening on the ground have a say in decision-making, it would make a huge difference,” he says.
As he looks ahead, Nethsikhudini envisions a fully integrated farming operation that covers the entire value chain, from primary production to delivering chicken to consumers’ plates.
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