While many young people seek to move away from deep rural areas to cities, Kgomotso Itumeleng could not bear seeing elder people driving over 50 kilometres to get their fresh produce and chicken, which was not only costly but also tedious. So he decided to start producing food closer to their homes.
Itumeleng, a poultry farmer from Maphiniki, a small village in Kuruman in the Northern Cape, says farming did not come to him by accident, but something that he grew up with in his family.
“It was in 2017 when I realised that my community lacked chickens and fresh produce, leading to mostly elderly spending their pension money to get them miles away.
“For me to start farming, not only was it to close the gap but also start an economic activity in the most rural village, which is something that young people never think of,” he says.
Itumeleng adds that with the economic meltdown, the country is facing, for him having a circulation of money in his community is critical.
‘We need each other’
Community development has always been close to his heart and he not only sees himself as a businessperson but also as a community builder.
“Development for me is key, not only do I want to see myself as only a farmer, but I have started encouraging community members to start backyard gardens.
“It is important that we not only support one another but also build each other. We need to buy and sell from each other to stimulate the economy and create jobs,” he explains.
Itumeleng says while he did not study agriculture, he did not rest on his laurels. He has completed short courses with the Agricultural Research Council, visited commercial farms, and attended a farmer’s day event to get further exposure.
“I did not study agriculture, however, I see great potential in the sector and relations are important to me.”
For the greater good
“I am also manufacturing animal feed and advocating for interprovincial trade between North West and Northern Cape. In the process, we are transferring skills and knowledge to one another.”
A leader in his own right, Itumeleng says he is fighting day in and out for farming to be recognised as a key economic driver in his community and searching for opportunities for the youth to study agriculture.
“Preaching farming should not only be focused on ploughing and livestock farming. We also need engineers and graduates to paint the farming picture brightly.
“We need economists to assist us with analysing what business trends to follow. In most cases, our operations are not successful because we did not study the market correctly.”
Young people need to be trained
Itumeleng says no one must be left behind, especially the youth. However, he concedes that proper training is needed for farming operations.
“For us to beat poverty we need to all work together, young people need funding, however, on top of funding there needs to be proper and strategic planning on how those funds will be used.”
His dream is to see communities using the available land and farm and teach each other skills.
“I love farming because it’s the backbone of the country’s economy. We eat every day hence government must invest in farming.
“It is not easy for small-scale farmers to penetrate the highly competitive markets, only marketing and networking opens doors, however, without funding that is a pipe dream.”
Mingle and work
He keeps a very close circle of friends and what keeps him going is networking, seminars, and farm visits, engaging with other farmers.
Itumeleng, who also leads the Northern Cape Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) as the national convener, says his dream is to see an inclusive value chain benefitting young people.
“For us to have such a value chain and harmony, we are on the course of establishing YARD in all the districts in the province.
“It is important to speak one voice and be united in our pursuit of greater heights for all.”
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