The story of an African tractor
Modern Kubota tractors are still built to the highest quality standards but bear little resemblance to their forebears
2024-10-22
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Press release.
The series aims to shift perceptions about farming by showing that agriculture is for everyone—regardless of size, background or location.
“Through powerful storytelling, the series highlights the critical role that small-scale and subsistence farmers play in creating food security, economic sustainability, and environmental resilience,” says Nicole Ras, Communications Manager at FTFA.
Mandy Leibrandt and Mama Happiness Mdoda, project leaders at Apple Tree Initiative
Simon and Matshidiso with awards they have won for their sustainable approach to farming
At a time when global food supply chains are struggling to pivot and diversify, small-scale farming is proving indispensable. Despite the dominance of corporate farming, mainstream agricultural systems alone cannot solve the food security challenges faced by emerging economies like South Africa. Nor can these large operations provide the jobs needed to uplift communities. The South African agricultural workforce includes approximately 1.69 million people engaged in subsistence agriculture, a critical safety net for low-income families, compared to just 44,000 employed by commercial farms.
The project leader at Siyazondla Cooperative inspects his spinach crop
South Africa has a relatively low percentage of fertile land, low calcium soils and challenging agricultural conditions. Agroecology and small-scale production hold the key to farming the 96 million hectares of farmland available, yet significant disparities persist. For many, farming is associated with the need for large tracts of land, heavy machinery, and chemical inputs—a perception that discourages aspiring farmers from entering the field. However, FTFA’s I Am a Farmer series demonstrates that agriculture does not require vast resources or industrial equipment to be impactful.
The care team at Siyabonga Enterprise Orchard
Sandile Sokhulu and Nqobile Mbonambi of Kunothile Agricultural Co-operative
“The featured farmers prove that food production can flourish through smaller-scale operations using sustainable practices,” adds Nicole Ras.
From urban food gardens and township food hubs to family-run plots, these farmers show that meaningful agriculture starts with commitment to the land and its ecosystem. With methods that prioritise biodiversity, soil regeneration, and zero-waste principles, they are breaking free from the outdated idea that farming success is tied to commercialisation.
Nkanyiso Bhengu from Khula Nathi harvests lemongrass, his macadamia nut orchard in the background
Aerial view of Khula Nathi which supplies lemongrass to Chinese restaurants
Governments around the world are increasingly recognising that small-scale agriculture has a vital role to play in addressing food shortages, restoring ecosystems, and creating employment. FTFA is at the forefront of this movement, offering a model for sustainable agriculture that benefits both people and the planet.
The campaign also emphasises the nutritional value and dietary diversity that small-scale farming brings to local food systems. FTFA’s farmers are not just focused on growing food but are actively reshaping what is grown to improve the quality of diets and fight hunger at the grassroots level.
Garlic harvest at Althea Plots, Grasmere, Gauteng
Sweet potato harvest at Khula Nathi, Inanda, KZN
Some crops are processed into jams and sauces at Mothusi Tshegofatso Ya Karabo and sold at market
Bakhusele Mathupha of Phawu Agripak Co-operative was a teacher before he began farming on his father’s mielie fields
Ntabiseng Mpitsi is the farm manager at Mpitsi Agricultural Co-operative, Walkerville
A project member inspects growing produce at Kunothile
Salamina Tsotetsi feeds her sheep at Bajha Etsoseng
Thembeni Nxumalo began farming at age 54 and now runs a mixed farming operation at Althea Plots in Gauteng
The perfect example of companion planting at Rondevlei Learning Centre
FTFA’s I Am a Farmer campaign invites South Africans to rethink what it means to be a farmer and encourages communities to embrace farming as a viable path toward food security and sustainability.
The campaign will culminate in a mini-documentary, which will be released on YouTube and other social media platforms.
To schedule interviews with FTFA representatives or farmers featured in the series, please contact:
Media Contact: Nicole Ras, [email protected], 011 656 9802
All photos and captions supplied.
Featured photo caption: Thoriso Mpitsa, a plumber and engineer by trade turned to farming at the height of Covid-19
Modern Kubota tractors are still built to the highest quality standards but bear little resemblance to their forebears
An invitation to embrace farming as a viable path toward food security
The event will bring together international exhibitors, leading brands and industry decision makers for three days of discovery and networking.