It’s been four months since Food For Mzansi launched Farmer’s Inside Track, an exclusive platform for up-and-coming farmers and new entrants into agri-businesses and we’ve connected with the most amazing movers and shakers in the South Africa.
The weekly Farmer’s Inside Track – available in different platforms, including videos, podcasts, a weekly e-mailer and a bustling Facebook group – is the result of months of behind-the-scenes work and we’re gearing up for our second podcast season that kicks off next week.
As part of the break to prepare for season two, Food For Mzansi co-founder Kobus Louwrens chose his favourite video from season one, our visit to urban hydroponics farmer Mosesi Mosesi.
Urban farmer Mosesi Mosesi is ripping through the script of agricultural norms with a business initiative he calls New Liff Hydroponic Farm.
The 27-year-old is one of more than 3 000 youth to benefit from a Nedbank funded skills development program in partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES). Through this initiative Mosesi was able to harness his new-found love for agriculture to escape the scourge of youth unemployment.
In 2017 he fulfilled his vision and went on to open his very own aquaponic farm in the heart of Tembisa in Gauteng. The young farmer has made quite a few prominent connections in his journey, including meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The royal couple visited Mosesi’s farm in September 2019.
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On this week’s video episode of Farmers Inside Track, the “Township Aquaponics Pioneer”, takes us on a journey through the day-to-day operations on his urban farm. Mosesi says the inspiration behind creating this oasis of green, crunchy vegetables was to give back to his community.
“I am trying to recreate that same opportunity that I got,” Mosesi says. “Bringing such a good project into the community is almost like me giving back.”
His business employs two members of his community as well as a seasonal worker. The urban farmer adds that his journey in creating an aquaponic setup that grows 3600 leafy vegetables was not without challenges.
“The hardest thing I have had to encounter was finding a market for us. People want to know what they consume and where it comes from, so branding our product was a bit of a challenge,” Mosesi says.
- Would you like to feature on the Farmer’s Inside Track podcasts and videos series? Send us a WhatsApp on +27 81 889 9032 or visit farmersinsidetrack.co.za.
- Farmer’s Inside Track is proudly brought to you by Food For Mzansi, Africa’s Best Digital News Start-up. Advertisers who wish to explore opportunities on any of the Farmer’s Inside Track channels can e-mail ivor@foodformzansi.co.za and kobus@foodformzansi.co.za.
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