Youngest land reform grower honours father
The passionate young man took over the reins of his 95,8ha family farm in the Mandeni area four years after the death of his father.
AT the tender age of 22, Peaceful Ndlovu set a precedent for South Africa’s youth when he became the youngest land reform grower for agricultural and agri-processing company, Tongaat Hulett.
The passionate young man took over the reins of his 95,8ha family farm in the Mandeni area four years after the death of his father.
‘My father died in 2006 while I was still a minor and the farm was temporarily put under the administration of the executor of his estate.
‘I assumed full responsibility of farm management in 2010,’ said Peaceful, who now has four years of farming experience under his belt.
Under Peaceful’s management and with the support of Tongaat Hulett, farm productivity has steadily increased, moving from 2 684 tons of sugarcane in 2010 to 3 455 tons in 2013.
The company has provided on-going extension support and facilitated farm-based training on various farming aspects including fertilizer application, cane estimation, knapsack calibration and variety identification.
Tongaat Hulett has also assisted Peaceful in progressing applications for grant funding from the Agribusiness Development Agency and the Department Agriculture and Rural Development, which have been successful.
Member of growers council
In addition to his growing success as a farmer, he has been appointed as a member of the Grower Council and Maidstone Planters’ Association.
These bodies represent the farmers’ interests on matters pertaining to farmer development.
‘I am excited to be a member of these structures as they provide a platform to engage with government on issues impacting farmer growth and sustainability.
‘As a young farmer I understand that revitalising the agricultural sector is a national priority.
‘It is therefore important for farmers to work hand in hand with government and the private sector to ensure economic growth and rural development,’ said Peaceful.
Wellington Ntshangase, Tongaat Hulett Small Scale Grower and Land Reform Manager, said, ‘Given government’s objective, through the National Development Plan, of creating a further one million jobs in agriculture by 2030, it is essential to provide the necessary support to young people who want to pursue a career in agriculture.
‘This support entails encouraging learners to take agriculture as a subject; exposing them to successful agricultural cooperatives in their communities, and identifying good role models, like Peaceful, who are young successful farmers.’
