In the rural village of Spitskop near Polokwane, Limpopo, 28 smallholder farmers are holding on to a shared belief: that persistence in the soil will one day lead to a sustainable livelihood.
By Montsho Matlala
Despite fall armyworm outbreaks, unpredictable weather and lack of access to formal markets, members of the Jack Mafarahle Project, a cooperative of 28 members in Spitskop, Ga-Mamabolo, are pressing ahead with their 21-hectare maize enterprise. For now, returns remain limited, but their commitment does not.
From Subsistence to Seed Production
For more than 20 years, the cooperative produced maize mainly for household consumption, occasionally supplying milling companies in exchange for discounted maize meal for members’ families.
With support from the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), the group entered dryland maize seed production, a step aimed at building long-term income and participation in the formal marketplace.
Ten hectares are currently planted to the ZM1523 maize variety for certified seed production. Before reaching the market, the seed must be inspected and certified by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
“Seed production inspections are conducted by a team from LDARD in collaboration with district officials,” says departmental spokesperson Moshupologo Mothotse.
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Setback Due to Fall Armyworm Damage
The cooperative’s first attempt at seed production was severely affected by a fall armyworm infestation, which destroyed much of the crop.
In response, LDARD supplied pesticides and strengthened farmer training on pest identification, safe chemical use and secure storage.
“This is important to protect both crops and farmers,” says Mothotse.
With better preparation and inputs, the group is hoping for a stronger season ahead. For many members, the project represents both survival and opportunity.
Caption: The cooperative’s first attempt at seed production was severely affected by a fall armyworm infestation, which destroyed much of the crop. Photos: Montsho Matlala
Kaizer Mamabolo, who returned to farming after losing jobs in the bakery and construction sectors in Polokwane, now works full time on land he inherited.
“We are grateful for government support, but we still need more training, equipment and market access to make this sustainable,” he says.
Johanna Seabi says the biggest challenge remains the uncertainty of farming under rain-dependent conditions.
“If it rains too much, we lose crops. If it is too dry, the heat destroys everything,” she says. “But we are not stopping. We need more knowledge on production and pest control.”
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Leadership Shaped by Experience
Francina Morerwa, chairwoman of the Jack Mafarahle Project, brings decades of subsistence farming experience to the cooperative. For her, a turning point came after she attended an agricultural exhibition in Harare, Zimbabwe, shortly after 1994, where she saw how cooperatives functioned in both commercial and rural settings.
“That experience showed me what was possible,” she says. “But it also showed me that farmers need skills, tools and partnerships to grow.”
She believes stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and NGOs remains essential.
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Shared Responsibilities
The cooperative operates on a structured system of accountability. Each member is responsible for their allocated portion of land and must complete agreed field activities on time.
Failure to comply without valid reason results in penalties, and absent members must arrange and pay for replacement labour.
“Everyone understands their responsibility,” Morerwa says. “That discipline is what keeps the project going.”
Through government support, the cooperative has acquired assets such as a tractor, ploughing equipment, generators and water-storage infrastructure.
Theft and vandalism continue to disrupt operations, however. A 5 000-litre water tank was recently damaged during an attempted theft, forcing the cooperative to relocate equipment for safety.
“We now move most of our assets to safer areas,” says member Sam Mehlape. “Security is a serious need.”
Farmers also highlight the lack of proper fencing, gates and basic ablution facilities as ongoing constraints.
Limited Market Access Remains a Challenge
Despite progress in production, the cooperative remains largely excluded from formal value chains.
Seed sales are currently conducted informally, with harvesting taking place once a year. The group has registered its production unit with the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR), but access to commercial buyers remains limited.
To improve short-term cash flow, members are planning to plant vegetables on two hectares.
“If we can grow vegetables, we can start generating income while we build the seed business,” Mamabolo says.
In the longer term, the cooperative hopes to diversify into animal feed production and expand its market reach.
Farming for the Future
LDARD continues to promote conservation agriculture practices, encouraging farmers to adopt minimum tillage, improve soil health, and manage water more effectively to reduce erosion and flood damage.
For members of the Jack Mafarahle Project, the road ahead remains challenging, but the direction is clear. As Morerwa puts it, “We are not just farming for today. We are farming for a future we believe will come.”
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