One of the most valuable lessons Sphesihle Chata from the farming village of Dundonald in Mpumalanga learned is that making mistakes is part of of the process. Despite several obstacles like planting in the wrong season, with bad maize yields as a result, he kept pushing to keep his dream alive.
The 25-year-old Chata, who farms with maize and dry beans, resigned from his job as a operations manager for Auto Buys to get into agriculture. He says working the land is something he enjoys more than working in the office.
“For me, working the land fulfils me. It allows me to show off my capabilities and it is a place where I feel free – fulfilling my passion of working the land and seeing things grow that I planted with my own hands,” he says.
A bright future full of promise
Chata farms on 15.5 hectares of land and aims to expand soon as he believes he still has a long way to go in farming. He currently employs one person and during harvesting, he employs four seasonal workers from the local community.
“I started [in the] backyard at home planting vegetables. I then approached the tribal authority to ask for land which I am currently farming on.
“However, I started on a bad footing because I did not plant my maize properly. It wasn’t growing, my soil preprarations weren’t correct and ultimately, my produce wasn’t of good quality,” he explains.
Getting the right advice
Chata says, out of frustration, he approached his uncle Petson Dladla, a maize farmer himself, who advised him on how to plant his maize, when to farm and how to farm.
“The first thing he asked me is whether I had a plan in place for the next planting season. I did not know what he was talking about, and he asked me to go back and do research.
“He helped me to put a planting plan in place. I am happy to announce that I have a three-year planting plan; not only for my maize but also for the vegetables I am farming, which are onions, cabbage and spinach.”
Chata adds that he’s since had good yields which keep him going.
Motivated to keep going
Chata says he grabbed the opportunity to crack the whip on the training and skills development being offered within his community.
“For me, both the tribal authority and the department of agriculture have motivated me to keep going as I am the only young farmer in my area. However, I want to see more young people joining me in the farming businesses so we can create jobs for others.”
According to Chata, his biggest market is street vendors and ordinary community members who come to his farm to purchase his fresh produce. He also sells his maize to Afgri.
“As I intend to expand, I also want to have a bigger market. I have reached out to local retailers, however, they want a huge amount of fresh produce weekly which I couldn’t deliver, but that is in the pipeline.”
Chata saying doing what he loves makes him very happy and his biggest motivation is seeing locals not having to travel to buy food since he is their main supplier.
“When you do what fulfils your heart, you tend to go all out and do your best which is what I’m doing,” he says.
New farmers need to be patient and passionate
In a growing local economy there is a need for new entrants into the industry, Chata says they shouldn’t have expectations of making cash immediately.
“It is very important that people understand that agriculture needs time, and you must be patient as a farmer. Do not come into the industry just because you heard that there is money.
“Take it up with the intention to serve and be a food supplier to the community, the money part will come. Get into the space driven by passion and motivation to make a difference.”
Chata says having been in the space for three years as a farmer, he believes he made the right choice given his passion.
He advises those new to farming to seek advice from the older generation, as well as knowledgeable farmers so that mistakes aren’t repeated.
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