Imagine starting a business while you are studying. That would be quite a feat to accomplish. Now imagine starting two businesses while working on your PhD.
It almost seems impossible, but not to this week’s mover and shaker, 30-year-old North West farmer Tumisang Ben Matshogo.
In this week’s episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, South Africa’s favourite agriculture podcast, we connect with Matshogo, who does not only run two farming businesses, but is also completing his final year of his PhD in animal science.
Matshogo’s interest in agriculture business started in 2017 when he realised how many people survive through agriculture. “I started with four cows, and kept on adding. Then I started with the poultry business.” he recalls.
“It was not easy at all,” Matshogo explains. “My parents were not working during that time [when I was studying]. I had to take care of my siblings.” Half of the stipend that he received for his studies was shared with his family to support them.
In our agripreneurship slot the head of agribusiness at Standard Bank, Nico Groenewald, talks about the influence emerging technologies have had on the agricultural sector.
“There’s a vast array of different areas where technology in agriculture plays a role,” says Groenewald. “We rely heavily on technology to improve what we do.”
“Technology is here to stay, one needs to embrace it. One needs to make sure that you optimise and use the technology at your disposal.”
From farm to fork, right here on Farmer’s Inside Track, we talk to chef Tharwat Londt, who says that chutney is his secret to a perfect, home-cooked South African meal.
“It’s something I always use to finish off any Cape Malay curry or bobotie dish. Without it, it just feels like there is something missing.”
Nutritionist Andrea Du Plessis, is also back to talk about nutrition and health when it comes to flavouring our food.
At the top of our reading list this week is And For All These Reasons I’M IN: Essential Advice for Entrepreneurs by the original cast of Shark Tank South Africa judges – Gil Oved, Lebo Gunguluza, Polo Leteka, Vinny Lingham and Vusi Thembekwayo.
I’M IN offers insights into the thinking and experiences of people who have built businesses, have seen them fail or have seen them shoot the lights out. If you are a budding entrepreneur, a newly launched entrepreneur or even a seasoned entrepreneur, then this is the book for you.
And, as always, you shouldn’t miss our weekly AMT Fresh Produce Outlook on the market with agri economist Dr. Johnny van der Merwe. Tune in to listen as he highlights the latest price movements and expectations for the coming week.
Farmer’s Inside Track is proudly brought to you by Food For Mzansi. The show, ranking high-up on South Africa’s weekly podcast charts, is hosted by Dawn Noemdoe and Duncan Masiwa. It promises to bring you up to speed with the latest movements in the fascinating world of farming and agriculture.
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