LIMPOPO – Pfananani continues to prove wrong the prevalent viewpoints that youths are lazy and know nothing about farming.
He farms along the Louis Trichardt/Madombidzha road, where he produces vegetables such as cabbages, green peppers, spinach and tomatoes. He points out that, as a small boy growing up in Mukula in the Thulamela area, he never thought that he would one day become a farmer.
“I never imagined my life as a farmer, and farming was never my passion,” he said.
“But the passion for farming developed when I moved to Louis Trichardt after my parents had bought a farm. I had no knowledge of farming by then.”
But then, how did he came to have this knowledge which enabled him to plant 10 000 fresh cabbages and sell it all in three days in 2018?
“I experimented with farming, from a variety of produce,” he said.
“When I had a challenge, I would inquire from other people, most particularly the shops where I bought my farming needs.”
When he planted the first 10 000 cabbages, many drivers passing the road along his farm would stop, admiring the succulent fields of green.
“The achievement of the 10 000 cabbages was a big motivation for me and I was encouraged to do better,” he said. “That initial success had ignited my passion in farming and there has been no looking back.”
Pfananani’s target market are the feeding schemes, vegetable vendors and small businesses.
He has been delivering orders to Tshakhuma, Phiphidi, Makonde, Vuwani, Elim and Thohoyandou, Mokopane and Tzaneen.
“These businesses are proving viable in the open market, and I have employed three people and two others on a part-time basis, all of whom were previously not earning a living,” he said. “We are able to produce good vegetables and are able to survive and make reasonable profits.”
He added that he had a plan to employ more people on a full-time basis to add more value to the fight against unemployment in the country.
“The current resources which we have do not allow us to realise that dream,” he said.
He says that without farming, the country would have a shortage of food.
“The importance of crop production for me is that I am taking part in economic growth and development. I feel so happy when I realise that I am able to feed the world, and that somewhere someone is able to have food on the table because of my means.”
The love and passion for farming and the undying support which he gets from his family, friends and community keep him going from being strong to stronger.
“Farming has taught me to be patient, to share what I grow with the less fortunate people because I believe in giving, knowing that givers never lack,” he said.
“Farming has also taught me kindness and to respect my customers as well as meet their expectations.”
Pfananani has also helped other youths to establish their own farms from scratch.
He currently mentors a group of four people because he believes that one loses nothing in sharing.
Pfananani can be contacted at 079 929 5555.
