Farmers face rising costs, unpredictable weather, and tight margins, making financial management more crucial than ever. They need all the help they can get to take them to the next level. Enter Desry Lesele. Driven by a passion that began on his grandmother’s Limpopo farm, he is dedicated to helping farmers overcome financial obstacles.
Lesele, a chartered accountant with advanced degrees in finance and emerging markets, is inspired by his passion for agriculture’s vital role in South Africa’s food security.
Today, as a senior manager for the agriculture client value proposition at Nedbank, he leads efforts to develop solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by farmers and agribusinesses.
“Agriculture is more than an industry to me,” Lesele explains. “I see it as the backbone of food security and rural livelihoods for all human beings. It feeds our nation, creates jobs, and empowers economic growth.”
Farming roots inspire change
Born in Limpopo, Lesele spent much of his childhood with his grandmother, who was a farmer growing sorghum and white maize and keeping cattle. Countless hours in the fields sparked his early love and passion for agriculture.
Yet, he also witnessed her financial struggles and the barriers to expanding her farm, challenges that stayed with him throughout his university years.
Starting his career in finance, Lesele was determined to make a difference for farmers like his grandmother. Now he creates financial and non-financial solutions that help farmers grow sustainably and overcome financial obstacles.
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According to Lesele, farmers face unique and difficult financial challenges every day, depending on the commodity they are farming. Agriculture comprises more than 32 different industries within its subsector, each influenced by distinct drivers affecting their income and input costs.
He explains that a common challenge is the rising cost of inputs such as fertilisers and fuel. At the same time, an oversupply of grain has pushed prices downward, adding further pressure on farmers’ margins.
“Farmers are under immense pressure to produce more with few resources.”
A word of advice to help farmers grow
He adds that although gross farm income has grown, farm costs have risen even faster, making it difficult for farmers to maintain their margins, especially with ongoing issues such as disease outbreaks and infrastructure challenges.
“Farmers should see financial products as strategic tools, not just debt or just taking a loan. They must use them to unlock growth, whether that is investing in technology or diverse finder income streams or protecting their business against volatility, and always engage with the bankers early, as the best solutions come from collaboration.”
He urges farmers to treat farming as a business, not as a hobby. “They must keep strong financial records, embrace technology and plan ahead of time and make connections with their bankers early to position themselves for growth and plan much better. This is crucial because over 70% of South African farmland is faced with climate-related issues, and up to 40% yield loss is possible if the correct strategies are not applied by farmers.
“Financial planning is not optional; it is a survival for farmers.”
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