Yondela Gqoli, farmer and founder of AgriHlubi, has a strong commitment to his community, business, and the health of his soil. On a 10-hectare piece of land in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, Gqoli plants different crop types that have allowed him to earn serious money. But for Gqoli, farming is not just about profit, it’s about people too.
Gqoli is a firm believer in promoting agriculture as a tool for pro-poor economic growth by improving and assisting rural livelihoods and communities.
His farm cultivates cabbage, spinach, potatoes, butternut, and grain.
“I currently have 10 full-time workers and four temporary workers. We produce for big markets like Spar, Boxers, Checkers, hawkers, and bakkies who buy straight from the farm,” he shares.
This season, Gqoli has decided to focus his production on potatoes, growing the rest of the vegetables, including butternut, on two hectares.
“[I farm] grain on five hectares, but I hope it will be my biggest main crop one day. My goal is to commercialise potatoes and grain.”
Because he farms with intensive crops, Gqoli ensures that he practises good soil health management. He does this by crop rotation and planting crops that have nitrogen. “We also ensure that we do soil sampling every season,” he says.
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Creating sustainable jobs
The main objective of AgriHlubi is to feed and develop young up-and-coming black farmers, Gqoli explains. He also hopes to create more employment opportunities.
“My goal is to sell in large markets so that we can hire more people. [Also, I], work with relevant stakeholders like Potatoes South Africa, Frimax, Simba Chips South Africa, Grain South Africa, Ukhanyo Farmers Development, and Hello Choice,” he explains.
Gqoli became involved in farming because he realised that the agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in feeding the nation. He grew up in rural Mount Frere where he used to work with his grandparents in their garden.
“I studied for a degree related to agriculture, and it comes in handy in my daily work as a crop farmer. I started farming officially in 2020 and saw that in order to be successful in agriculture, you have to learn everything that is related to what you want to do.”
Gqoli completed a diploma in crop production at Fort Cox College and a degree in agricultural management at Nelson Mandela University.
Giving back where he can
Gqoli has done well for himself and believes in giving back where possible. Every now and then he donates vegetables to disadvantaged families. “I know if they had money, they would support me.”
But his passion for agriculture and big heart have not safeguarded Gqoli from failures and challenges.
“Challenges in farming will always be there. I approach them and my farming business by consulting and doing research. Also, I don’t just plant; I make relationships with other farmers, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, so we can learn from one another.”
He says the most challenging aspect of farming is being afraid of new developments and not being able to incorporate them.
“We are afraid of innovation as young people, which I practice by including new technologies. On our farm, we have a planter for seedlings and a top-dresser fertiliser applicator. We no longer use manual labour to plant seeds and apply fertiliser.”
A future-focused farmer
Gqoli believes it is important to start crop and livestock farming with what you have or can afford.
“Over time, as a farmer, you will see yourself reach new heights if you start with what you have and do not try to get what you cannot afford too early,” Gqoli advises.
The young farmer says he envisions a future where he does not only sell to large markets but also owns his own fruit and vegetable shops.
“My dream one day is to have my own fruit and vegetable shops. I want to run the whole value chain one day, from production to packaging, and from packaging to selling my produce in my own shop.”
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