Government support crucial for new-generation farmers

Teneal Marthinus, an intern agronomist at ForFarmers, reflects on her first year, highlighting the challenges faced by new generation farmers. She stresses the importance of government support in helping these farmers overcome obstacles like extreme weather and inadequate infrastructure.

As I sit down to reflect on my first year as an agricultural intern at ForFarmers, I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s hard to believe that it’s been just over eight months since I joined the team in April 2024.

As a graduate of Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg Agricultural College, both in the Western Cape, I was eager to apply my knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. ForFarmers provided me with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

One of the most striking things I’ve learned during my time here is the vast difference between commercial farming and new generation farming. As Wandile Sihlobo’s book title so aptly puts it, we live in A country of two agricultures.

I’ve had the privilege of working with new-generation farmers, providing them with technical support, training, and development. It’s been incredible to see the impact that this support can have on their productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

However, I’ve also seen first-hand the numerous challenges that new generation farmers face. From limited access to finance and markets to inadequate technical knowledge and infrastructure constraints, the obstacles can seem insurmountable.

Government support crucial for new-generation farmers

It’s clear that targeted support and resources are needed to help new-generation farmers overcome these challenges.

My experience in 2024 has been marked by the devastating flooding that affected the Western Cape, which was subsequently declared a disaster area. This event highlighted the vulnerability of new generation farmers to extreme weather events.

The winter production season was severely impacted by extreme weather conditions, resulting in lower yields, poorer quality crops, and higher input costs. Market prices also fluctuated, exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers, threatening their livelihoods and sustainability.

Without government support, it will be extremely difficult for these farmers to recover from the losses they incurred.

It’s imperative that government provides the necessary support to help these farmers get back on their feet.

The flooding had a significant impact on wheat farmers in the Overberg and Swartland regions. Both commercial and new generation farmers achieved lower than expected yields.

However, the lower yields achieved by new generation farmers were further exacerbated by underlying issues such as poorer soil health, inadequate drainage, and older mechanisation. These underlying issues not only affected their yields but also made them more vulnerable to the impacts of the flooding.

This is why it’s so important for government to provide longer-term support to new generation farmers. This support could take many forms, including access to finance, training and development programmes, and infrastructure support.

By providing this support, government can help level the playing field and give new generation farmers a fair chance to succeed.

As I look back on my first year as an agricultural intern, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow. I’ve gained valuable insights into the grain industry, including the complexities of wheat production, the importance of soil health, and the impact of weather events on grain quality and yields.

These insights will serve me well in my future career. I am also grateful to the Jobs Fund for supporting the vision of ForFarmers, as without their support, I would not have been able to gain this invaluable experience. With the right support and resources, I have no doubt that new generation farmers will thrive and make a meaningful contribution to the agricultural sector.