Small farms, big impact: Tim grows food and futures

Tim Abaa’s impact goes far beyond his three-hectare plot in Orange Farm, Johannesburg. There, he isn’t just growing food, but growing futures as well. In this episode of our Farmer Mentor podcast series, we meet this farmer and trainer.

With a deep commitment to agroecology, bio-intensive agriculture, and permaculture, Tim Abaa has built an enterprise that not only produces fresh, organic food but also empowers the next generation of agripreneurs.

Farming a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, berries, and fruit trees, Abaa’s produce feeds local communities, supplies restaurants, and supports NGOs. However, his mission includes fighting poverty and hunger by teaching others to grow their own food in ways that preserve the environment and enhance food security.

“I call Orange Farm the capital of organic farming in Africa,” Abaa says proudly. “The land here is blessed with fertility, the climate and topography are perfect for agriculture. I’ve loved farming from a young age, so finding myself here was the best environment to pursue my passion.”

Farming with nature

Abaa quickly recognised the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in his community, many of whom practised subsistence farming that barely met their daily needs.

“One of the biggest problems I came across was the hand-to-mouth type of farming – it’s not sustainable,” he explains. “Sustainability is one of the most abused words in the world, but true sustainability requires knowledge, innovation, and collaboration.”

Determined to make a difference, he launched informal training sessions in 2012, starting with just five farmers. Today, he has established over 5 000 backyard food gardens across Orange Farm and expanded his reach to other provinces in South Africa. His training emphasises agroecology and bio-intensive agriculture, teaching farmers how to maximise production with limited resources.

“Many of the people we work with come from townships and rely on social grants or live below the poverty line. Our goal is to bring sustainability through agriculture, even with limited means,” Abaa says.

His efforts start with the youngest members of the community. Through an innovative early childhood development (ECD) programme, he teaches children aged three to six the value of growing their own organic produce. “We teach them about seeds, seedlings, flowers, and the importance of trees – helping them grow up in a food-conscious society.”

Abaa’s educational initiatives don’t stop there. He also runs an agripreneurship programme for youth, equipping them with the skills to become changemakers in the agricultural value chain. The programme covers everything from organic farming techniques to enterprise development, ensuring participants are prepared to build sustainable livelihoods.

Africa is calling, and Abaa is answering

Central to his farming philosophy is the concept of minimum space, and maximum production. “Our townships don’t have large pieces of land, so we have to be creative and make the most of what we have,” Abaa explains.

His own farm is a model of this approach, integrating pigeons, rabbits, bees, chickens, vermiculture, a nursery, and an orchard – all coexisting in a carefully designed, highly productive space.

“Permaculture is a design system that helps us boost production while conserving resources. We focus on soil health, water harvesting, and landscape design to maintain fertility and prevent erosion. It’s about working with nature, not against it.”

In 2023, after years of training through other organisations, Abaa took a bold step and launched his AgriSeta-accredited training academy. In its first year, the academy trained over 200 farmers in Orange Farm, and its reach continues to grow.

“Our academy caters to everyone – from ECD kids and high school learners to varsity students and community members. Our oldest learner is 103 years old, and the intergenerational exchange of knowledge is incredible.”

Abaa is a firm believer in the power of learning and collaboration. “Once in your life, you need a teacher, a lawyer, and a preacher – but every day, you need a farmer.”

While he believes that agriculture is wonderful, he says it should not be rushed into it. Instead, prospective farmers should do their research, and visit different types of farmers, and learn from their successes and failures. He also advises attending workshops, and classes and networking as much as you can.

Looking ahead, Abaa has ambitious expansion plans. “We’re sharing knowledge freely because we don’t know how long we’ll be here. This year, we’re expanding to North West, Free State, and, God willing, KwaZulu-Natal. Beyond South Africa, we’ll be in Swaziland, Egypt, and Morocco for training and conferences. Africa is calling.”