For Andile Mkhize, food production and youth development form part of his daily life. He grew up in a farming family, works at an agricultural institution, and has also ventured into farming.
Born and bred in KwaMagwaza Mission, in a small town called Melmoth located on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhize’s farming bug has never left him.
“Agricultural practices sustained the family financially whether by selling some cows or through crop production like amadumbe.
“So, agriculture runs deep in my DNA, my passion for the industry is very old and solid. Post-matric, I had enrolled for the bachelor of genetics and microbiology, then I later realised that I should follow my interest in agriculture,” he says.
Mkhize farms spinach in the backyard of his home, however, he intends to get a bigger space so that he can include other crops.
“We focused on the quality and making sure that our product was attractive to every market level, which ended up landing us a good deal with Spar Supermarket in the area.
“Penetrating the commercial market specifically is not easy at all due to us being a smaller company and there are long-standing supplier contracts with some of the retailers.”
Mkhize enrolled for a diploma in crop production at the Mangosuthu University of Technology which he completed.
Finding pleasure in producing food
According to Mkhize, his love for farming and development keeps him awake at night and wants to see as many young people as possible owning space in the agricultural sector.
“I have been active in community engagement initiatives under Enactus South Africa responsible for sustainable community enterprises of which most of them were in agriculture.
“My active involvement in community projects and agribusiness saw me being selected to be part of the elite list of the 100 brightest young minds in Africa for the class of 2022,” he explains.
Mkhize’s day job is with Toutele Agricultural College in KwaZulu-Natal. He is the training manager and works mostly with young people who want to crack the whip in the farming industry.
“Resilience and patience should be the order of the day, farming is often unpredictable, and setbacks are common. As a small-scale farmer, you should persevere through challenging times.
“I now understand that success in agriculture requires patience and a long-term perspective. Importantly for me, to make it, one must network and collaborate which are key for building relationships with other farmers, suppliers and local communities,” he says.
You cannot do it alone
Working with farmers and students pushed Mkhize to think back about his home where farming and food production was not being done as much as possible.
“I find my strength and support in my loved ones, who understand the challenges I face on a daily basis, and they also provide emotional encouragement and practical assistance when needed.
“I have also enjoyed a solid support base from other farmers who are always looking to collaborate, mentor and advise where necessary,” he says.
Mkhize adds that he is working around the clock to introduce technology into agriculture as a way of wooing young minds into farming.
Changing agriculture through technology
“We are invested in changing the agriculture future through technologies, so we will be partnering with a lot of farmers in the space.”
He says passion and love for agriculture is what makes him to be dedicated to farming and producing food for those who are not near the big towns.
“I love agriculture for many reasons. It allows you to connect with nature, live sustainably and contribute to food security. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment with continuous learning and innovation.”
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