Farmers require more than just access to opportunities; they need practical support that enables them to build profitable and sustainable enterprises. This was stated by participants in the farmer panel at the annual AgriCulture Gauteng congress, which recently took place in Pretoria.
Moderator of the panel was nutritionist and farmer Dr. Ethel Zulu. Quinty Rabofala, director of Kenokatha Farms; Pethole Raseropo, known as 'The Seedling Guy'; and Pauline Pauls from Nu Harvest Farm participated in the discussion.
Rabofala, who started farming on three hectares after transitioning from the banking sector, noted that profitability in the agricultural sector must be viewed differently from traditional business models. A significant portion of the income generated by a growing farm must be reinvested into production assets and infrastructure.
She emphasized that agribusiness is not something one can enter today and immediately start earning from; it must be built. Rabofala explained that her farm continues to direct its income towards areas such as equipment and irrigation. Although she currently rents tractors, her goal is to build an asset base that will ultimately ensure greater business independence.
Rabofala also highlighted that compliance with regulations is an important learning phase for farmers seeking access to more lucrative markets. Food safety requirements, testing, and certification may seem like initial hurdles, but in her opinion, they ultimately create opportunities for those farmers willing to meet these standards.
She believes that compliance is not an obstacle but rather a learning process: 'The more you comply with the requirements, the wider the market opens up.' Her long-term goal is to move beyond intermediaries and achieve direct export to international markets.
For Raseropo, the main problem for young agricultural entrepreneurs is not the lack of opportunities, but the insufficient structure surrounding those opportunities. He noted that while there are many prospects in agriculture, 'when it comes to structures, there are none.' Raseropo, who studied microbiology and botany before starting his seedling business, stated that clearer pathways would help young people identify opportunities in the agricultural value chain and build businesses around them.
He pointed to emerging areas such as biostimulants, where farmers need greater access to knowledge, and young entrepreneurs could help bridge information gaps.
At Nu Harvest Farm, Pauline Pauls stated that her experience in commercial farming reinforced the conviction in the importance of getting every part of the production process right. She stressed that 'farming is about attention to detail,' covering all aspects from sowing and planting to chemical application and irrigation.
Pauls warned that small errors can have a significant impact on profitability, especially in an industry with very narrow margins. She also advised farmers to look for opportunities closer to home instead of focusing exclusively on large markets. Based on experience visiting farms internationally, she said that small producers can build a viable business by supplying local restaurants and industries and adapting their products to local demands.
Furthermore, Pauls called on financial institutions to better understand the real conditions of farming, particularly the cash flow issues associated with expansion. She stated: 'If we want to cultivate new land, we will, but we will only see a return on investment in that land after three or four months. Banks must understand this. They must work with us.'