Young farmer determined to plant one seed at a time even without government support

Young farmer Mfundo Mahlangu from Kameelrivier B in Mpumalanga is determined to show that one doesn't only need to rely on government support to succeed as a farmer. Mahlangu started his small enterprise with little resources and is now selling his produce to the local community.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) there are approximately 131 595 small scale farmers who need government support. Small scale farmers farm on restricted scale, elevating farm animals or cultivating crops. Their farming task are characterised by, amongst others, lack of machinery, low productivity and lack of monetary solutions.

The government can provide support to small scale farmers by providing monetary solutions such as low-interest loans, access to grants and subsidies. The government also needs to address the issue of low productivity by providing small scale farmers agricultural production input support and training programs. Additionally, the government needs to put money into the infrastructure in the rural areas to better the transportation and access to markets.

Mahlangu was raised by subsistence farmers – his father, a teacher, and his grandmother. His father taught him livestock farming while his grandmother fueled his love for vegetable farming. When his grandmother’s health started deteriorating, Mahlangu took over the responsibilities of farming for the household in 2018 when he was only 19 years old.

“I was there to carry on with the backyard farm, I started planting onions in bulk for the household then in 2020 I started to plant Swiss chard, onions, beetroot and tomatoes. I sold them to my neighbours and that’s where I developed the mindset of hope, love, patience and discipline.” He said.

In 2022, Mahlangu established the Ubuhle Bendalo ‘Beauty of nature’ Vegetable Supply enterprise. The founder of the Vegetable Supply enterprise got confronted with the lack of agricultural infrastructure such as equipment, fencing, water source and also finding land.

“When my former business partner gave up on farming I requested that I continue utilizing the small piece of land,” says Mahlangu the mastermind behind the Ubuhle Bendalo enterprise.

Mahlangu, 23, works alongside Mthokozisi Hlumbane who also sees to the execution of everyday responsibilities on the farm. The farm makes a speciality of crops including Swiss chards, onions, beetroot and tomatoes.

Mahlangu and his business partner Hlumbane start off each day early in the morning by watering plants which Mahlangu refers to as his ‘babies’. They check each plant to see if they are healthy, making sure that they pay attention to diseases, pests or other issues that might negatively affect the crops. 

Mahlangu and his partner will then get down to making compost and planting new crops each day.

In 2022, Mahlangu approached the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development  at Dr JS Moroka in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga, to seek out government grants or programs that will assist him with funding for land access and agricultural infrastructure. “The Department visited my farm, I filled in some forms and they have since been promising to come back,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha said in his May 2022 budget speech that “In line with the National Policy for Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy (NPBSLA), we continue to ensure that allocation targets the vulnerable members of society, and to that extent, of the 39 037 ha of the PLAS Land allocated, over 50% of it was allocated to the targeted vulnerable group. It is our desired goal to improve on this as we implement the policy.”

After completing his matric in 2021, Mahlangu decided against furthering his studies. He believes he will become a success story as a commercial farmer. His dream for the Ubuhle Bendalo enterprise is to create job opportunities for the youth in his community, take up livestock farming, and grow from being a smallholder to a commercial farmer.

“We hope to educate the youth on how to be self-sufficient and assist the young farmers to achieve their farming goals.”

The Ubuhle Bendalo Vegetable Supply enterprise aims to give back to local schools in Siyabuswa, give vegetables for free to the elderly people and bring about a positive impact to the community as they grow. 

“To young people who are passionate about farming, I want to say that you must not be afraid to start small, because when you start small you gain more experience and knowledge. You also need to know that farming is about being patient and you must sacrifice. Do not get into farming because has money or as a second option. Do  what you do with love, what you do with love will respond with love.”