Page 31 - MiNDSPACE Issue 2 2022 - Old Mutual Corporate

11 432
How many jobs Old Mutual’s
Masisizane Fund created to date by
supporting 461 small businesses,
including farmers.
– Old Mutual 2021 Integrated Annual Report
Going forward, fostering greater inclusivity by growing the number of Black commercial farmers will be important. This must go hand in hand with an economically viable and sustainable land-reform process. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is the custodian of a total of 10 454 652 hectares of land and has to ensure that it is made available to people with an appetite and aptitude for commercial farming.
Currently, a total of 1 289 583 hectares are subject to active long-term agricultural leases. During the past five years only 8 173 hectares were transferred to individuals and businesses, while 104 850 hectares were transferred to communities. The fact that little of this land acquired by the state has translated into full ownership or long-term leases cannot go unchallenged because it undermines the productive use of land.
Affordable financing, continuous scientific and technological development and a free-market system
are needed to increase our food production if we are to continue to feed South Africa’s growing population. For this to happen, long-term land use and ownership of land must be secured. Equally important will be creating a conducive political, economic and social environment in which farmers and food production can flourish. Our food security depends on it.
For this, we need professional farmers. You can be a professional farmer on one hectare where you produce some of the best tomatoes in the world using hydroponics and you can be a professional farmer on hundreds or thousands of hectares in the Karoo where you produce excellent meat. That is why I am against labels like subsistence farmers, small-scale farmers and mega farmers. We must instead talk about – and encourage – professional farmers.
changeSPACE food security
In an industry fraught with risks, policymakers often make decisions based on political sentiment rather than economic and social considerations. But the agricultural industry cannot be seen in isolation. About 70% of agricultural output is used for intermediate products by manufacturers. At the same time, purchases of goods such as fertilisers, chemicals and implements form backward linkages with the manufacturing sector.
CYNTHIA MOKGOBU
Mosibudi Trading Enterprise, Limpopo
Cynthia Mokgobu began a
backyard vegetable patch in 2016
and in 2018 moved to three hectares outside Bochum where she farms spinach, butternut, cabbage, mustard and potatoes. She supplies produce to Boxer Superstores, Spar Save More, Joburg Market, the Polokwane fresh produce market and street vendors.
‘My parents owned and managed their own business where they planted and sold vegetables in nearby villages. I used to help them out and it was during that time that I first discovered farming.
What’s it like being a female in such a male- dominated industry?
‘It is difficult at times because it’s quite labour- intensive and as a result many people do not believe that a woman can succeed. You frequently must put in twice as much effort to prove your capabilities.’
‘My greatest challenge has been a lack of capital to increase my quantities and expand the products I offer. The De Beers AWOME (Accelerating Women Owned Micro-Enterprises) programme has taught me how to manage my business finances and look for opportunities, which helped me to expand and get into Potatoes South Africa’s small-grower programme. I have since planted my first hectare of potatoes.
Why farming?
‘I studied ornamental horticulture through Unisa and interned at the South African National Botanical Gardens and two nurseries before I decided to go my own way. I live by the saying “Lehumo letswa tshemong” (real wealth comes from farming) and as a young African girl, I want to prove that.’
Has that been your biggest challenge?
‘I’d also like to improve our infrastructure so that I can grow my market. Without proper infrastructure, farming is more difficult.’
What lessons have your learnt that you can share?
‘The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt is that farming
is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires hard work, passion and dedication. You will face failures that will put your patience to the test, but if you lack patience, you might give up completely.
‘Start small, start where you are, with what you have. Starting small doesn’t mean you have to stay small.’ M
Compromising our agricultural sector through negligence, non-compliance with health and safety standards or ill-conceived policies, such as the expropriation of land without compensation, and social unrest will not only lead to large-scale disinvestment of capital and expertise, it will also compromise food availability, affordability and quality. This is the biggest challenge with regards to food security: it is not land that produces food, but expertise.
oldmutual.co.za/corporate | 29
IMAGES: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES AND SUPPLIED. ADDITIONAL TEXT: MICHELLE HARDIE. SOURCE: INVESTIGATING FARM-LEVEL EXIT DECISIONS AND EXIT RATES IN COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA: AN AGENT-BASED APPROACH, KANDAS CLOETE