Farming has taught Ranko Tsotetsi, the 2024 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year, many valuable lessons. One is that a farmer must work hard and keep his eyes and ears open. The second is that farming is a long-term project, so it teaches you to be patient, devoted, and focused. Thirdly he learnt that when it comes to farming, nothing is ‘set in stone’ – even if you plant on time and do everything right, you can do nothing about the climate.
Ranko farms on Die Bult, a 316-ha farm in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district near Kestell in the Free State. Here he plants maize, soybeans, and sugar beans in a rotation system. Last season he planted 191 ha in total – 85 ha of maize with a yield of 4,8 t/ha, 76 ha of soybeans that realised a yield of 1,5 t/ha, and 30 ha of small white beans where a yield of 0,9 t/ha was achieved. This season he planted a total of 235 ha – 110 ha maize, 110 ha soybeans, and 15 ha sugar beans – and he is feeling positive about what the season has in store.
Mentorship and knowledge are key
His journey into farming was not preordained. Born in QwaQwa, he was the son of Joseph Tsotetsi, a versatile entrepreneur who balanced roles as a grain and cattle farmer, taxi owner, and mechanic. From a young age, Ranko was immersed in mechanics, assisting his father with car repairs – a passion that led him to study motor mechanics in Bethlehem during the early 1990s. By 1995, he had established his own business, providing employment to several individuals.
However, things changed in 1999 when business challenges prompted Ranko to close his business. He relocated to Pretoria with his wife, Ophelia, and took on a supervisory role at Metrorail. In 2003, tragedy struck when his father passed away. This loss became a pivotal moment for Ranko. In 2010, he chose to honour his father’s legacy by returning to the family farm, Die Bult, transitioning from the hustle and bustle of city life (and a secure income) to the peace and quiet (and volatility) of farm life.
He decided to make a success of the farming operation to honour his late father. With little agricultural know-how, he recognised the need to equip himself with knowledge and he invested in his development by successfully completing agricultural courses in 2013 and 2014. This laid the foundation for his farming endeavours. Ranko joined Grain SA in 2013 and became an active participant in the Farmer Development Programme in 2016.
Mentorship has played a significant role in his development, with Jacques Roux (regional development manager in the Free State) and Johan Kriel (a previous regional development manager in the area) both contributing to his growth. Because of the input and support Ranko has received from the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) team and others, he is committed to farming successfully. ‘If people invest their time and advice, you repay them by doing a good job.’
A farmer who cares
It was not only his dedication and hard work that led to his nomination, but his compassion, humility, and gratitude also impressed his mentor Jacques. Upon receiving his prize – a brand-new John Deere 5075E tractor – he invited everyone who had contributed to his farming journey, regardless of when or how much time they invested, to join in the celebration.
‘Ranko told his guests that the victory wasn’t his alone but the whole area’s. He also generously shared his prize money with his farmworkers. These actions have earned him deep respect and admiration within the community,’ Jacques shared. ‘This farmer built up the farm from scratch. He started farming with nothing and received nothing for free. He bought his equipment from PALS (Partners in Agri Land Solutions). Everything he owns, is through his own hard work and determination – and that deserves to be recognised.’
Because learning new agricultural practices and discovering advanced technology in the sector remain important to him, Ranko makes time to attend courses and find out more about the latest technology. He believes a lack of knowledge is one of the biggest obstacles amongst developing farmers. ‘I wish that all developing farmers would participate in the programmes and courses that are offered, so that they can get more information and knowledge on how to operate their farming enterprises and grow their businesses successfully.’
He is driven by his passion and dedication and has truly transformed his farm into a shining example of what can be achieved through commitment and hard work. Seeing the progress he has made and being able to help others through job creation motivate him to keep on going, even though there are struggles and stumbling blocks on his path. He is extremely passionate about changing the youth’s perspective on farming and believes that their interest in agriculture should be kindled from a young age. He intends to ensure that his two sons will one day share their father and grandfather’s passion.
