Farming is not for the faint hearted

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The Veggie Guy

Successfully managing a farm is tough because nature is unpredictable and only resilient and passionate farmers reap the rewards. Two crop farmers in Limpopo are finding ways to work in harmony with nature despite the challenges.

Martin Munzhedzi the founder of Dzudzanani Greenery grows chillies, okra, green beans as well as habanero and green peppers on eight hectares of land. Farming was not his first choice but after studying engineering and not finding a job, he saw an opportunity in farming.  “I was tired of being unemployed and decided to take advantage of Limpopo’s good weather by starting a farm” says Martin.

Phillip Kgapane the founder of The Veggie Guy is a specialized farmer that grows tomatoes on 30 hectares of family-owned land. Whilst working in corporate he noticed that food outlets in Burgersfort purchased their vegetable from neighbouring towns and cities. “I saw a gap. I started off by buying and selling vegetables to see if it was a viable business, once I saw it’s growth potential, I decided to become a tomato farmer” says Phillip.

Producing crops that are enjoyed by many South Africa means their harvests are always in demand and they can co-exist peacefully. Martin sells his produce at the Jo’burg Market, a large distribution hub that is a member of the World Union of Wholesale Markets. He sells to traders, chefs and locals who want to stock up on fresh produce. Phillip on the other hand sells his tomatoes to food and grocery retailers in Limpopo like Steers, Pick n Pay, Nandos, Spur and many more.

Even though they are thriving farmers and running profitable businesses, sometimes due to weather conditions they don’t reap what they sow. “Excessive rain and frost damaged all my tomatoes and now I have to start all over again” says Phillip. This experienced farmer is slightly disheartened by the damages, but he is ecstatic to farm his land again because to him, it’s all part of the job.  He adds that growing tomatoes is not easy because they are high maintenance crops that need special care and attention.

Challenges come in different forms, for Martin his biggest challenge was caused by COVID19 lockdown restrictions. The demand for his chillies and peppers was low when restaurants were closed, because a lot of his stock is purchased by chefs and restaurateurs. “Those were tough months, I had to sell my crops at a lower price because the demand was low” says Martin.  He was also affected by bad weather and he is doing damage control on his farm.

In the first quarter of 2021, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry decreased at a rate of 3,2%. The success of this sector is vital because it creates seasonal jobs, improves the local economy and helps in the development of rural areas.

“I’m in the process of opening a tomato training centre for aspiring farmers to attend for free” says Phillip. The aim of the centre is to share his knowledge, mentor young farmers and grow the farming sector. Developing more land to farm and learning more about scientific and technological advancement in farming is Martin’s focus. “When I got my seedling machine, I was impressed by how helpful it is and I want to learn more about modern farming tools to share with my peers “says Martin.

Working in harmony with nature, embracing challenges and not giving up has helped these farmers remain at the top of the game, no matter the weather.