LIMPOPO – The 23-year-old Mutshinyani ‘Chichi’ Madavha is an up-and-coming female farmer who describes herself as a fatherless, motherless and fundless. But her work speaks volumes.
Chichi grew up in a family where her parents were staunch farmers who planted maize and nuts at Tshitungulwane Mudziafera village at Tshimbupfe, near Vuwani.
They had also utilised the space in their yard as a garden. Here they planted spinach, beetroot, carrots and onions.
“I didn’t join my parents in farming then; all I did was to chase the joys of this world, such as fancy clothing – you know this whole lot of things about slay queens!” she smiled.
Chichi’s mother passed away in 2012.
In April last year, her father gave her the farm and, sadly, he passed away in June. At some stage, Chichi reflected upon her parents’ love for agriculture and started farming, without any first-hand experience or theoretical knowledge.
“I just started calling myself ‘an up-and-coming female farmer’ and planted a lot of cabbage, butternut, tomatoes, spinach and chillies. Maybe farming runs in my veins after all.”
Today, Chichi ranks among the top producers in her area and her target markets include feeding schemes, open markets and her community. “My wish is to supply to the big market,” she said. “Farming has taught me to be patient and to work very hard, because it is not all about harvesting.”
She said she still experienced challenges such as direct and indirect market access and farming resources. “But, as a female farmer, my biggest challenges are funding and not enough knowledge to run a big farm,” she said.
She said farming was a difficult activity that requires one’s full dedication and a lot of hard work in order to yield good results and sustain the business.
“My motto is: ‘I am the up-and-coming female farmer without fear’.”
Chichi has seasonal helpers on the farm, some of whom are family members, while others are villagers who work on a part-time basis.
Chichi believes that bringing her produce to the market assists the country’s economy. “I believe that my late parents would be proud of me,” she said.
