SAB/Ab Inbev Africa Urban Agriculture programme finalists: part 3

Part 3 of looking at the SAB/Ab Inbev Africa Urban Agriculture programme finalists.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226291748{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Part 3 of looking at the SAB/Ab Inbev Africa Urban Agriculture programme finalists.

Siphamandla Bilitane

Crispy Crop Pty (Ltd), Vredendal, Western Cape

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226323994{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In 2015, Siphamandla Bilitane started Crispy Crop, where he farms butternuts, watermelons, and tomatoes. His farm is 20 hectares in size.

Siphamandla and his team start their planting season on the 1st of July every year. “Butternut, watermelon, and tomatoes are planted for the local Cape Town Market and for Tiger Brands, tomatoes are planted in the first week of October and harvested in January.”

“I became a farmer to improve my livelihood and that of my family, and to create jobs and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product.”

Siphamandla currently employs two staff members.

Farming is not only Bilitane’s passion, but also his lifestyle. “The most important aspect of farming is the contribution I make to food security and creating jobs and opportunities for others.”

Siphamandla has not come across any stereotypes about being a farmer, but many see him being successful one day due to him being a responsible and hard-working person.

Siphamandla is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to improve his business skills. “I would like to gain access to larger markets to grow my business and essentially create more jobs.”

Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.

The 15-month business development programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226375762{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Nkanyiso Ngubane

Dukathole Youth Farm Pty (Ltd), New Hanover, KwaZulu-Natal

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226396806{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In 2014, Nkanyiso Ngubane with her partner Nothando Shangase and others started Dukathole Youth Farm, where they cultivate vegetables such as cucumbers, baby marrows, cauliflower, and green beans. The Dukathole farm is five hectares, but only two hectares of that is arable land.

Dukathole Youth Farm has 10 hydroponic tunnels, which are used to plant cucumbers and baby marrows. “We are forced to plant only during the summer since we experience heavy frost during winter and we get better yield results in summer. Nkanyiso and her team start planting in mid-August every year and start harvesting late in October.

“For the open field, we plant cauliflower in March and green beans in October. For land preparation, we are lucky to receive assistance from neighbouring farmers.”

As a daily routine, tanks need to be filled with water, fertilizer needs to be mixed and the nutrients need to be balanced by getting the E.C and pH right, and water drippers are checked for blockages.

Dukathole Youth Farm currently has five employees.

“It made sense for me to become a farmer and be self-employed rather than waiting for employment to come my way, especially when South Africa has such a high unemployment rate. I can also put my degree in Agriculture to use when it comes to the business aspect.”

Nothando enjoys the scientific journey of observing a seed turn into a plant and then into a meal to feed a family and that in turn transforms into a fortune.

“Many people seem to believe that running a farm means that making a lot of money and is the easiest business to run. They forget about the science of the industry like balancing the nutrients, providing sufficient irrigation etc. They seem to have an idea that with land I have it all. They do not consider the daily challenges and risks that come with running a farm.

Nkanyiso is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and looks forward to “learning about production maximization and how to improve their hydroponic tunnel production procedures.”

Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment and sustainable businesses.

The 15-month Business Development Programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226465110{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Welile Gumede

Azowel Projects, KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1573226485395{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Welile Gumede started Azowel Projects in 2018, where she grows tomatoes and cabbages. The farm is eight hectares in size.

“We plant tomatoes in tunnels and cabbage on the open field. Our daily operations consist of weeding, irrigating, pruning, harvesting, packaging, and delivery of produce to Enterprise iLembe, which is currently our biggest market.”

Welile saw a neglected farming space and decided to make use of it by creating work for herself and others in the community. “I love market availability and food security.”

Due to Welile not having any farming experience, many people thought that she would not be able to revive a farm.

Welile is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to become a better farmer and learn from other, more experienced farmers.