Limpopo farmer defies odds to ensure food security and jobs

Daile Mafoko has encouraged a village in Limpopo to work together on his plan to improve food security in the Hoedspruit area, reports Letaba Herald.

In xiTsonga, there is a phrase which says: “i Ndlopfu ya hina” which in loose English translates to “It is our elephant”.

This phrase is often used or heard where people are mobilising themselves to address a particular social problem in their immediate society or environment. It symbolises a call to get everyone involved in working towards a better solution to social qualms regardless of gender, age and other social divides.

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The same could be said of fighting poverty and hunger at Makgaung village, which is located within Maruleng municipality outside Hoedspruit town in the Limpopo province.

Mafoko got inspired to act in what could only be explained as a humble yet phenomenal beginning.

In 2011, he decided to face the challenge of food insecurity and joblessness in his area by using his grandfather’s 1ha piece of land, which was found within the non-productive Makgaung irrigation scheme.

With the assistance of three workers, he managed to produce enough vegetables for himself and his assistant workers.

Seeing his determination to improve food security in the area, the traditional authority allowed him to increase his land size to 12ha.

The additional land was used for cultivation by his close relatives in the past. But, just like many other pieces of land, they were no longer used for food production. That allowed the youthful Mafoko’s idea of feeding the nation and the creation of decent jobs to expand.

Today, he has created twelve permanent jobs for local people.

The three workers who started the project with him in 2011 are still working on the farm.

Through perseverance and focus, Mafoko managed to integrate vegetables which he produces to sell to both local and national markets alongside chickens and goats.

“With goats, which are now 160, my plan is to sell them at auctions which are being held at Rubbervale and other places while chickens will be slaughtered for local buyers. And I have identified a potential market for this indigenous breed,” said Mafoko.

In 2014, the entrepreneur came second in the Yard (Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development) competition facilitated by the Limpopo department of agriculture, land and rural development. He nabbed fourth position for the same competition in 2016.

Water in Makgaung and surrounding villages is a scarce and valuable resource, not only for domestic use, but for crop and animal production purposes as well.

To meet his crop needs, this young producer draws water from the mountain source which is 4km away from the production land.

This is not at all safe, as pipes are exposed to all sorts of risks because they are not buried under the ground. However, this is the only option he has to continue running his successful farm, adding that a water source within or very near to the production area would make this process a lot easier and safer.

Farm implements also affect Mafoko’s production progress.

“Since my farm operations are growing, I would like to have feed-processing implements to meet livestock feeding requirements. My [goat-handling] facilities are just [improvisational]. A durable handling infrastructure would make matters easier for progressive farming,” he explained.

Despite challenges, Mafoko is a beacon of hope and role model to young people in his area towards embracing community development.

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