What is an agripreneur? And why do they matter? We have the answers.
By Lusanda Tamesi
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released a statement that we are at a staggering 35.3% of unemployment rate. The agricultural sector recorded 38 000 jobs, but industry group Agri SA noted that there was a 20.6% decline in skilled agricultural employment. This decline causes stress to the sector, and many factors hinder the sector’s growth.“It remains a concern that this drop in skilled employment represents a brain drain for the sector,” Agri SA said.
Now the real question is can young talent transform farming? And is farming really the way to go? Let me introduce you to the term “agripreneur” – a combination of agriculture and entrepreneurship to help tackle the world’s pressing issues like unemployment, climate change, food insecurity and more. It is the transformation of a vision into a business venture. Here, we chat to a few local agripreneurs.
Special spinach
“I learned farming through Google”, says Ncumisa Mkabile, known as ‘Spinach Queen’. She is a 28-year-old Tourism graduate from Cofimvaba in Eastern Cape but is based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. When South Africa had a hard knock from the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, Ncumisa’s world came crumbling as she was forced to close down her catering business.
She survived by selling hardbody chicken through door-todoor deliveries. This was not generating enough income for her so she starting thinkong of other ways to make money. She noticed a gap in fresh produce in the market, and that was the birth of the Spinach Queen. Through the power of the internet, Ncumisa’s idea became a reality. Despite not having an agricultural qualification, no farming background and no mentor, Ncumisa used the influence of social media to obtain suppliers.
“I had to research the type of crop that would be suitable for sandy soil and would survive all weather conditions hence I planted spinach”, said Ncumisa. She explained that she used social media, specifically Facebook, to market her spinach, where many people showed an interest in her business.
Through this strategy, she was able to supply spinach to supermarkets in Khayelitsha. In addition to employing people in her community, this was the foundation of a nationwide famed farmerette. Ncumisa emerged as an AFASA Newcomer of the year award winner, Against all odds start award winner, UN Ambassador, and Standard Bank Farming Influencer. “I believe that to achieve something you should have a strong why as to why are you doing what you are doing and that way you will find your passion,” she said. Ncumisa envisions opening a training academy in Khayelitsha where youth will learn about farming.
Something about sommeliers
A group of nine graduates made their dream a reality when they produced the uLutsha wine, one of South Africa’s finest Pinotage wines. uLutsha, which means youth in isiXhosa, was created in 2020 by a group of graduates who acquired their skills from PYDA.
PYDA is an NGO that offers a year-long preparation programme for students that wish to make positive changes in their lives. This programme focuses on tourism and the fruit sector. Ziyanda Njalo, one of the people behind the uLutsha product, was excited to learn about harvesting and the science of distillation and crushing grapes. “Whenever it was time to harvest, I would always be excited because this way I had time to put theory into practice,” said Ziyanda.
ULutsha also gained popularity, and marketed its product on social media. The group is busy with another wine that will hopefully skyrocket the markets!
Farming a future
Graduation gowns were put aside, and they had to find ways to generate income. No capital, but a vision is what made Ulibo Agricultural Enterprise a success. Ulibo is a food security initiative focusing on crop and piggery farming that is aimed at addressing the country’s food insecurity and unemployment crisis. It is an emerging farm located in Ncera 101 km away from Alice, Eastern Cape.
“We are pioneering a new language of graduates that instead of hiring a graduate, we say support a graduate initiative”
The farm was established in April 2020 by a group of graduates from the University of Fort Hare. A 20-year lease agreement for Alice’s unused arable land was signed by Alice’s community members shortly after the graduates wrote down the vision they had for the land.
“We are pioneering a new language of graduates that instead of hiring a graduate, we say support a graduate initiative”, said Amahle?. In its initiative, the group intended to prove that agriculture could solve the nation’s crisis.
With the farm growing, they supply supermarkets and local stalls around Alice and Fort Beaufort, as well as create jobs for the people of the village and supply them with fresh vegetables. Students studying agricultural science nationwide can also gain free practical skills through Ulibo if they provide a letter of recommendation from their institution.
Ulibo aims to create more jobs and ensure stability within the community of Alice, and throughout South Africa, and also have a nursery where they supply seedlings to supermarkets.