Meet Lebogang Sibuyi, a determined agripreneur whose journey from corporate life to farming excellence helped land her a spot in the Corteva Agriscience Women Agripreneur Programme. She dedicated herself to finding the right crops that would take her farming operation to the next level.
The city of gold stole the heart of #SoilSista Lebogang Sibuyi. After years in the corporate world, she felt the pull of agriculture. Her desires peaked in 2022 when she made a bold move, embarking on her farming journey. Now, she has also joined the Corteva Agriscience Women Agripreneur Programme, fulfilling her goals one step at a time.
Indeed, there’s nothing quite like a woman who harnesses her fiery passion for life to propel herself toward success. For Sibuyi, though, agriculture is fairly new and has taken her on an expedition of exploration, growth and profound fulfilment.
“I decided a few years ago that I wanted to be in the agricultural sector. Last year [in 2022] I decided to take a giant leap and looked for a farm. Luckily enough, there was some land available for which I am a beneficiary,” she explains.
Bumps in the road
Taking significant steps in the city of gold and entering a completely new industry, naturally came with challenges.
“Land is a big issue. Even though I am a beneficiary of the land that I am farming on, there is some fighting in the community. Water was a big challenge when I started and I was lucky that the company I worked for sponsored me with solar panels which enabled me to start on a larger scale and provide water,” she says.
But when the heart wants what it wants, there is no stopping a woman from her goal, and that was the same for Sibuyi. “No matter what, I told myself I am going to do this thing and that is how I got into farming,” she says.
Trial runs trigger success
While having land was a major plus, starting her journey required deep insights. A trial run was the best way to penetrate the market, including understanding what works in the farming area around Jozi.
“When I started, I went on a trial. I planted different vegetables to see what works well in our area and I took whatever [was] harvested from that to the small vendors,” she explains.
Later, she found her niche. Her focus was mainly on cabbage and spinach, marking the beginning of many more crop ideas she hopes to expand on.
Women empower each other
Being a woman in the agricultural sector isn’t easy, but for Sibuyi, engaging with the soil and producing the best crops for the country feels natural. She understands her current position makes a difference in how women are perceived in this space.
“Being a woman within the agricultural field is truly amazing. It feels natural and when I am working on the land, it is so natural. It comes so easily. I don’t get tired of it. I enjoy it,” she says.
The #SoilSistas programme itself – presented in partnership with the GIBS Entrepreneurship Academy – brought numerous opportunities to explore and network with passionate women in the field.
“The programme is an amazing opportunity. It helped me polish up my business and manage administrative duties on my farm, and I will build on what I am learning” she explains.
ALSO READ: Side to main Hustle: #SoilSista’s Journey to farming triumph
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