Focus is key for Letaba farmer
Inconsistency in the market drives him to work smarter and harder, says farmer Mamaila Kolobe Tona.
LIMPOPO – Tshwarelo Masutha is constantly looking for ways to empower his community.
The 37-year-old from Mamaila Kolobe Tona started farming in 2012 after securing a market for spinach and cabbage in the Mopani district. Masutha founded Masutha Farming and his business has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. “We now produce spinach, mustard, cabbage, beetroot and onions on 10 hectares of land,” he said.
In 2017, Masutha won the Best Young Agricultural Entrepreneur Award at the Agricultural Entrepreneur Awards, which were hosted in recognition of excellent contribution by Greater Letaba farmers in ensuring food security under the pressure of global warming.
Masutha now employs 22 workers and said having received the award encouraged him to increase production and improve on quality as well.
The biggest challenge he currently faces as a farmer, is inconsistency in the market but it does not deter him, it instead motivates him to work harder and smarter. His message to young farmers is to remain focused when entering the industry. “Find what you want to farm and specialise in that but most importantly, take farming seriously as a business. Give it the same dedication and hard work that you would any other business,” he added.
