By Maile Matsimela
The sun beats down on rows of lush crops as Farai Mtanga and farmers who gathered for a Master Farmers’ Field School & Braai event at his Meyerton Farm, walk through the farming operation.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Mtanga has established himself as a formidable presence in the local agricultural scene, recently winning the 2024 Farmer of the Year Award at the Zim Achievers Awards in South Africa.
During a recent Farm Field Day event organised to share knowledge with emerging farmers, Mtanga spoke about his journey, philosophy and the innovations that have propelled him to success.
Mtanga believes firmly that farming transcends national boundaries and racial divisions. “In farming, there is no colour, no race and no nationality. The focus is simply on growing, harvesting and feeding people,” he explains, reflecting on how he’s integrated into the South African farming community.
His approach centres on collaboration rather than competition. Working closely with local farmers, employing local labour and mentoring Vaal University of Technology students, Mtanga has built strong ties within his community. This collaborative spirit extends to his farming philosophy.
“Agriculture is a science you need to share,” Mtanga emphasises. “When I die, they must not write a zero on my degree because I have not lived my purpose.” This commitment to knowledge sharing drives his mentorship programmes aimed at nurturing the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Mtanga’s farming operations are impressively diverse, spanning both horticultural and commercial crops. “We grow cabbages, spinach, tomatoes, peppers,” he details, “and we also do soya beans and grass for feed.”
This diversity has allowed him to navigate market challenges effectively. When asked about accessing markets, Mtanga reveals a simple yet powerful strategy: “Produce quality and the market will come knocking at your door.”
He recounts how his commitment to meeting exact specifications and producing superior crops has transformed initial market struggles into solid relationships with buyers. “We focus on producing what the customer wants – the right size, the right packaging, everything exactly as specified.”
Staying at the cutting edge of agricultural technology has been crucial to Mtanga’s success. He has recently transitioned from sprinkler to drip irrigation, a move that significantly boosts efficiency and saves water.
“We’re moving to an era where drones will revolutionise farming. There’ll be less chemicals, less labour and more efficiency,” Mtanga predicts enthusiastically. This forward-thinking approach to farming technologies has helped him reduce costs while improving productivity.
The adoption of these innovations reflects his adaptability – a quality he considers essential for modern farmers. “You need to keep evolving with the market demands and available technologies,” he advises.
For those looking to enter the agricultural sector, Mtanga offers encouraging advice tempered with realism. “If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Rome wasn’t built in one day – baby steps, research and persistence will get you there.”
He emphasises the importance of starting small and scaling gradually, learning from each experience along the way. “You don’t need to start with 100 hectares. Begin with what you can manage, learn the ropes and expand as you grow more confident.”
Mtanga also highlights the fundamental importance of agriculture to society. With a smile, he notes: “For the president to make his speech, he needs to eat first.” This simple observation underscores his belief in farming’s essential role in supporting all other human endeavours.
Beyond the immediate success of his farming operations, Mtanga focuses on creating lasting impact through mentorship. The Farm Field Day event represents just one facet of his commitment to educating emerging farmers and ensuring agricultural sustainability.
“The legacy of farming lies not in competition, but in cooperation and ensuring the knowledge is passed to the next generation,” he reflects. Through formal partnerships with educational institutions and informal mentoring relationships, Mtanga works to secure agriculture’s future.
His story serves as powerful testimony to what can be achieved through determination, adaptability and a genuine commitment to agricultural excellence. As climate challenges and food security concerns intensify globally, farmers like Mtanga, who combine traditional wisdom with technological innovation, offer valuable blueprints for sustainable success.
As our interview concludes, Mtanga looks out over his thriving crops with evident satisfaction. For him, each plant represents not just potential profit, but a contribution to community food security and an opportunity to demonstrate best practices to the farmers he mentors. In his hands, agriculture becomes more than a livelihood – it’s a vehicle for positive change.
