GALLERY: Uplifting communities through planting

Agroecologist Tim Abba (40) is a proud farmer who always had an interest in becoming a farmer. 

Born in Kenya but now based in Orange Farm, Abba’s plan was to change people’s narrative when it comes to farming.

“My parents were against it, thinking how I will make a living out of farming. They wanted me to become a doctor or a lawyer for me to survive,” he said.

His parents sent him to the United States of America to do nursing. Two months later he dropped out and came home to do a degree in agriculture.

“I wanted to make them happy with their decision but I was not happy. There was still an opportunity at home and now I am a qualified farmer,” said Abba.

Tough beginnings

Since high school, Abba would hold seminars to teach about farming and how people can make a living out of it.

“I wanted to change the mindset to show that farmers can make a living and reach out to poor communities in times of need,” he said.

“I moved to South Africa to pursue my dream but there were major challenges. I didn’t know anyone and could not find seeds to plant. “I met a friend who is a technician and assisted him at his store. We encountered problems then he decided to close shop.”

Abba moved to Orange Farm, where he found spinach seeds.

“When I planted spinach it flourished and I took the spinach to start selling to communities. “I grew different types of vegetables – pees, avocados, onions, cabbage, beetroots – every vegetable you could think of. But because I was not yet well established, I did not have the market to sell.

“People did not know who I was. So I decided to call all the communities in the southern area and give them vegetables for free,” he said.

Abba wanted everyone to win and by doing so he wanted them to plant in their yards for sustainability.

Changing how the community think

He admitted the community started to see value in his work but never believed he was starting to make a profit. 
After getting recognition, they recognised his efforts.

“The community started asking me to teach them how to plant. Hundreds of people from different communities came to my farm, where I gave them seeds to start their gardens.  “I made a name for myself and started running workshops on teaching people to make a living.”

Abba started rebranding himself.

In 2018, he was asked to teach children how to plant. So he implemented a programme called Garden 2 Kindergarden. It was voted as the best programme in the country.

“I am also pleased to be part of African Women in Agriculture AWiA. They have asked me to guide them when it comes to planting seeds and knowing where they cannot plant,” he said.

Abba told the CHRONICLE that Covid-19 came with a lot of challenges.

“It was tough for farmers to move their products across the country. People lost their jobs and couldn’t provide for their families. I then started a project called Ubuntu. We started donating vegetable boxes that contained potatoes, cabbage, beetroot, spinach, carrots, peas and other vegetables.

“We went to informal settlements in Eikenhof, Jackson informal settlement, and other communities around Orange Farm.”

He didn’t want to stop there because he knew people will come back for more. Instead of giving them boxes of vegetables, he gave them a planting guide and seeds to start planting in their yards.

Purpose of Ubuntu

Abba said the purpose is to create awareness about planting, creating an alternative food system and help people to food security.

“In South Africa, 7.2 million people go to bed without being fed. It was part of me giving back to the community. This is creating ubuntu – you are because I am. “At the same time, this is how we create resilience in terms of crisis. It is about what part you are playing in the communities,” he said.

Up to date, Abba has fed 2 500 families with fresh vegetables from the farm and it was clear to him that many families can be fed from one farm.

“At the same time, you can gain profit and create an income. People don’t know that planting organic fresh food sells.”

What people don’t know about farming

He said most people think farming is a hobby.

“People should know it is a means of earning a living,” he said.

“For every input, there must be an output, and for every income, there must be an outcome. Farming is a business, not a hobby. “People should understand that I am not here to fight the system but to create an alternative system by teaching others how to generate an income out of farming.”

His dream is to start a training academy.

“In this country, no school teaches agriculture subjects. Most of the people do not go for farming because they don’t have exposure to the trade.  “Farming can assist with eradicating the unemployment rate in this country. I want to plant a seed in every community in this country,” he said.