Contrary to the general perception that youth despise agriculture and associate it with old rural communities, three young females from Jouberton in the Matlosana local municipality have a different story to tell about agriculture.
They dispel the notion that suggests that agriculture is for the old, as they are running a successful and viable agricultural project.
With nothing extraordinary, but passion for agriculture, the trio turned an unproductive open veldt into a hive of vegetable production.
The group started the Feranani Vegetable project with their own funds in 2006 by planting vegetables and selling them to the community.
One of these young farmers, Baabaa Molefe, says today the project has grown in leaps and bounds, "and this has called for the relocation from our previous plot to bigger premises we are occupying now."
"We achieved all these because the North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development saw potential in us and built two tunnels for vegetable production," explains Molefe.
The two tunnels in the plot can each house 900 seedlings per cycle of three months where they plant tomatoes and green pepper; whilst the open veldt within the premises is utilised to plant spinach, beetroot, cabbage and onion. Part of the funding was received from the Matlosana local municipality.
"Our hard work and passion for agriculture finally paid off when we were recognised by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as worthy winners of the top producer household and communal markets category during the 2009 provincial Female Farmer of the Year competition," adds Molefe.
"We were also nominated the young aspirant female farmer of the same year. With the prize money won, we were able to maintain and repair our equipment and buy new irrigation as well as additional inputs for the project. And through our income we are able to pay for the municipality services such as water and electricity and pay our employees' wages.
"As young people, we also contribute our share towards social responsibility as we often supply tuberculosis (TB), HIV and AIDS patients as well as poor community with fresh vegetables for free. We market our produce to the local street hawkers and sell to the local community of Jouberton," explains Molefe.
Commending the commitment demonstrated by these young farmers, MEC for North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene, encouraged other youth to change their mindset about agriculture and emulate the exemplary attitude of these young ladies.
"As we are this month remembering and celebrating the contribution made by young people of this country during the struggle for freedom, it remains our responsibility as government to also make the future generation aware of their responsibility that still lay ahead.
"Young people must seriously consider developing interest in ensuring that the country maintains its food security standard, by getting involved in agricultural activities," said MEC Tshwene.
As ambitious as any other person, the Feranani Vegetable project beneficiaries wish to expand and build more tunnels in the plot and produce vegetables at a larger scale.
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development, North West Provincial Government
14 June 2010
