This, as the 29-year-old Paballo Motumi, who farms with mainly poultry such as broiler and indigenous chickens, says she hopes to become a successful commercial farmer and employ unemployed youth from her area. OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to Motumi ahead of OFM’s Farmer Appreciation Day last week. Here is Motumi…

See PODCAST below

She formally registered her business, GG Enterprise, last year with the hopes of one day owning a big enough land to host all of the animals and crops. Motumi adds that she also farms with small livestock such as goats and sheep, as well as crops such as spinach and onions, along with 50 hectares of peanuts.

“My passion [for farming] started a long time ago. I married into a family that loves farming very much,” adds Motumi. The well-known stokvel initiative is another reason she fell in love with the world of agriculture. She explains that the stokvel consists of a group of young farmers who engage in different farming activities, “we encourage each other just to start something because farming does not require… energy – you just have to have a love for what you do.”

Furthermore, Motumi is appealing to commercial farmers to provide assistance to upcoming farmers. She explains, “I think helping each other in this journey, in agriculture as a whole, will help South Africa, will help our economy”.  

Her message to other young people who would love to pursue farming is that they must be confident in their abilities and not be scared to ask for help. “People must not be afraid to start… There are so many challenges in a business… So, even if you fail, just pick up from where you are and just move with it. Anyone can do it,” assures Motumi.

OFM News