Like many other young people who consider farming as menial and hard work, Phutheho Tsephe (33) had no desire to farm. After completing his schooling, he studied information technology at PC Training and Business College in Umtata. ‘Even though I grew up on a farm, I was not interested in farming.’ But duty called and caused Phutheho to find his passion. ‘When my brothers were no longer on the farm to help my father, I had to go and assist him.’ After a while he realised that farming was the thing that would lead to a better life for him and his family. ‘I had to leave what I loved to get what I really needed.’
Work like a slave, live like a king
After joining his father, Thabang Tsephe (61), on the farm near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape in 2013, Phutheho quickly realised that to be a successful farmer he would have to learn continually and improve his knowledge about agriculture. He completed a course in livestock and vegetable production at Buhle Farmer’s Academy in Delmas, Mpumalanga.
At first father and son focussed on dairy and beef production and also had a piggery on their 500-ha farm, Mariazell Farm. In 2020 they moved to a new 700-ha farm, Bon-Accord, in the same region. Here they now run a mixed farming operation. They continued with their dairy and livestock farming, but have added crops to the operation.
Initially they planted 50 ha of maize, but have increased it to 75 ha for this season. Last season they realised 8 t/ha. This season was less favourable with heavy rainfall causing problems and waterlogged fields making it difficult to do post-emergent weed control. ‘Even though this season was not as favourable, we are hoping for the best as far as our maize is concerned,’ says Phutheho, who is still positive that they will realise a yield of 6 t/ha. They form part of Grain SA’s New Era Commercial Farmer group and are also members of the 500 Ton Club.
Thabang and Phutheho share the farming responsibilities equally. ‘Although we don’t really have enough land to accommodate both of us, we are working well together,’ Phutheho says about their teamwork. ‘The one thing I have learned from my dad is that if you work like a slave, you can live like a king,’ he adds with a smile. As finances allow, they will slowly build their farming enterprise and are hopeful to expand their maize production in the future.
Failing to plan, means planning to fail
Thabang motivated Phutheho to become a Grain SA member in 2018. He also became part of the Farmer Development Programme at that stage. They are supported by Luke Collier, the regional development manager who is based at the Kokstad office, and mentor Eric Wiggle, who mentors Phutheho. According to Phutheho, Grain SA plays an important role in their farming operation. ‘They help us with inputs and mechanisation and thanks to their support we are able to rectify our mistakes in time.’
This father and son team have done quite a few of the training courses presented by the Grain SA team, such as farming for profit, business ethics and business management. Through these courses and the mentorship, they have seen a vast improvement in their farming operation, not just as far as crop production is concerned but in the dairy operation as well. With every visit or study group session their knowledge is increased, which means better agricultural practices and a better product on the field. ‘Training definitely makes farming easier,’ Phutheho says.
The most important lesson Phutheho has learned over the years is how important timing is when it comes to agriculture. It is a lesson most farmers learn quickly – to be successful, having all the knowledge is not enough. It is the timing of each step that can make the difference between an excellent yield and just having some maize on the field. ‘Time is important on the farm, so a farmer has to work purposefully. If you miss a day or plant late, it can have serious consequences. Through Grain SA I have learned that “failing to plan, means planning to fail”.’
Farming makes a boy a man like his father
Agriculture may not be easy, but it certainly is interesting,’ says Phutheho about his journey as a farmer. He hopes that South Africans will start viewing agriculture differently. ‘Farming is the only business that will never vanish as people need food to survive. I really hope one day our government will see how important it is.’ He would like to see agriculture included in the school curriculum. ‘They should start teaching the kids at school about the value of farming to make it a more fashionable career choice.’
Although it was not his decision to farm, Phutheho has become passionate about farming. To him it is a humbling profession with no room for pride, only room for learning. ‘One season you can make money and the next you will only break even,’ he shares, but admits that this roller-coaster ride is very exciting. He has developed so much because a farmer has to be a jack of all trades. ‘You can’t expect other people to always do things for you. You have to learn to do everything yourself,’ he says about this career path that has helped him mature into a man like his father.
