To the Grain SA/Standard Bank Smallholder Farmer of the Year for 2022, Joseph Tuelo Mokaleng (54), agriculture means life. He grew up in a rural area where the community was dependent on agriculture to survive, so both his parents and grandparents were involved in agriculture.
Although they did not farm for profit but for subsistence, Joseph had a bigger dream. He now produces on a much larger scale and donkeys have made way for mechanisation. His workers have been trained to ensure that the tractors and equipment on the farm are well maintained.
Joseph is a real community man who shares his equipment with his neighbours. It is also important to him that the people in the village are well looked after. Each village has their own communal water pump and Joseph has taken up the responsibility to maintain the pump and service the diesel engine to ensure that the community has water. In some of the other villages the engines have had to be replaced, but Joseph is doing such a good job that his engine remains in good working condition.
Joseph’s story
When did you become a farmer?
My passion for agriculture comes from working hard on the farm helping my father, Semouso. I actually became a full-time farmer in 1983. Due to a lack of funds, I had to leave school after completing Grade 10. I then returned home to help my aging father farm on a subsistence scale. We still ploughed with donkeys. However, after a few years of struggling, we were able to buy a Massey Ferguson tractor that is still in working condition today! When my dad got too old to work, I took over all the farming duties.
Why do you love farming?
I have never known any other workplace than the fresh air of the farm. You can live off the land and take care of your family in this way. Now my daughter, Mantsho, is showing the same passion. She is working at my side to learn as much as possible – from driving the tractors to assisting with the administration of the farming operation.
What role has Grain SA played in your farming operation?
Grain SA has taught me about the importance of knowing your soil, the advantages of crop rotation and about conventional cultivation – to rip and not plough every year. I also learned about the importance of weed control, which has helped me improve as a farmer. They showed us how to progress and make profit.
What are some of the challenges you have had to face?
One of the biggest challenges affecting my farming operation is theft. Weather conditions also present many challenges in our area, as do political instability and finances.
Farm facts
Farm: Morena Village
Nearest town: Delareyville
Region: North West
Size: 100 ha arable land which he leases plus 20 ha communal land
Type: Mixed (livestock, sunflowers and dry beans)
GRAIN SA’S CONTRIBUTION
- Joseph joined Grain SA in 2006 after completing his first training course
- He is a member of the Vrischgewacht study group
Training courses completed:
- Contractor’s course
- Tractor and farm implement maintenance
- Advanced maize production and marketing
- Introduction to groundnut production
- Basic engine repair
- Resource assessment and farm planning
- Introduction to sunflower
- Workshop skills
- Farming for profit
- Business ethics
- High application tractor maintenance
A mentor’s view:
Du Toit van der Westhuizen, regional development manager at Grain SA’s Lichtenburg office, has seen Joseph’s dedication over the years. He says that Joseph is a hard-working man who follows the advice given to him. Despite years of devastating drought, Joseph never gave up and was able to pull through and remain farming.
A special word of thanks to the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA), who is a partner of Grain SA’s Farmer Development Programme. Through their involvement in the programme, SACTA hopes to make it possible for new era commercial producers to build up a credit record with a financial institution so that they can acquire their own credit facilities.
