 Hey guys, I've moved from organic principles. We are a bit conventional just so that the farm can survive It was very difficult. Um, I had to start from a I've never used pesticides before so I had to do research I had to talk to mentors. I had to ask ask other experienced farmers what chemicals I can use to help my crops Hello everybody, welcome to the private property farming podcast My name is Mali Nwokol. As usual your host every Tuesdays and Thursdays right here on the private property channel and Today we are putting a spotlight on another young farmer I'm super excited to be chatting with her because she's literally at her farm You could see her produce in the background And this is what farmers do day in day out, right? We add our farms producing to ensure that you are fed at the end of the day And obviously we are in youth month. We're recording in youth month We want to expose and put the spotlight on the young people really that make up the agriculture sector That are positively contributing towards the sector because every day people say there are no youth in farming or where the youth in Farming where the young females in the agriculture sector, but this podcast will bring you just those individuals Let's learn from them. Let's hear their stories their backgrounds. Why they came into the sector Why is it that they're farming? Why did they decide to study to farm and What is it that they're doing in their farms, you know, where they're selling to their contributions? Who are they employing? You know their challenges I think you know learning and sharing experiences is one way to grow and to understand the intricacies Around what makes the sector to be what it is today. So if any questions for a young farmer today, please feel free I can already feel that it's going to be a an exciting conversation Because she is a young one and she's taking the agri world by storm as I saying if you have any questions for a guest Please feel free to do so and as I say in every episode if you have any suggestions Please also feel free to bring them forth because this podcast is for you We want to bring you good and rich in content that could obviously help you in your farming journey So let's get right into it and say hello to us net ember my singer Who is the director of snettemby so produce snettemba? Thank you so much for joining the podcast How are you doing and happy youth month? I'm good things. How are you? Thank you so much for having me here. I'm doing fantastic You know, you are so small you look like I want to just cuddle you up You know, I'm still surprised to know that you're 22, but you definitely still look 15 I suppose, you know, but tell me I mean such a young lady Who just looks beaming, you know, we've got a beaming and bright smile. What made you go into the sector? And what drew you in towards a farming? So I fell in love with uncultured very young age I grew up in a family that loved Farming a lot and it was a way of life. I don't remember my parents going to a if they said they were going to a they were going to the farm So it's been our source of income for years You know young people in the in the rural areas I either forced to influence to To to involve themselves into agricultural activities likely for me I was really passionate about it So yes, I became the director at the age of 15 and ever since then Enjoy my work Sometimes I get so excited to share my passion and how I enter the agricultural industry that like I left words sometimes But yeah, I hope I answer the Yeah, well, I can definitely relate, you know I think when you're so excited about something and you do something you love at the Everyday it doesn't really feel like work as they say but tell us I mean as a young director boss lady How does it feel like? Managing people leading people and maybe give us a typical day of how a typical example of how your day looks like at the farm So usually I wake up at five like around five I'm usually awake. I need to be the first person on the farm You know, it's it's that life of being an entrepreneur Leading people is very difficult, especially at young age because I'm leading people that are older than me But luckily throughout the years my parents have been training me for this So I was sort of prepared as to how to lead people and manage people at a young age However, it's still difficult because I'm leading people that are older than me But yes, I'm getting the hang of things So I need to be the first one at work, you know time time time I need to be on time because I'm always telling people about time my work is about time but Yes, like right now I'm currently at the farm and I'm the only one today People are off today, but I am working Yeah, so tell me what are the challenges of running a business as a young individual, you know You did say that you don't remember a time where your parents went to work So I believe that they've always been self-employed and I guess you are one of the lucky ones where you have parents who were Entrepreneurs, so how does it feel like taking ownership of a business and learning how to manage people? So the different divisions, you know, HR, production, finance, management of people, suppliers, customers, etc And just running a business in its entirety It's a lot, it's difficult for me right now A lot of people don't believe me when I say that I am in charge of almost everything And I'm also part of the labour in the farm So I have to divide the time to do each and everything It's the finance, it's the social media, it's the plier, so yes I do everything myself, honestly It's a lot, it's difficult, but I think as I'm growing it's helping me because I know exactly what to look for when I have to employ someone to do a certain task for me or to run a certain department So yes, challenges are there, but I'm growing, I'm growing, it's tough, it's tough, but It sometimes needs to be tough, you know, growth is painful, but I'm really learning things Yeah, Suneet Tamba, tell us, when did you start, which year did you start being fully operational as a director in the business and how many people are employing currently and also tell us about the crops that you're farming So I became the director at 15 because I really wanted to expand the family business However, I say this a lot, but my parents don't like it I got distracted with varsity at the age of 17, I went to varsity and due to COVID when we were forced to come back, I think it was 2019 or 2020 around that time I was home all the time, even though I was studying online I used to spend a lot of time on the farm, then my books So I would spend time on the farm and that's when I released that done with my parents and I had to let them know that no, I think I need to be full-time here I think I need to come back and run the family business full-time I was staying in another city and it was kind of difficult for me going back and forth and running a business while doing a science degree at the time So I became a full-time farmer in 2020, I formalized the business since last year and I've been taking care of it financially, like everything So when we expanded, I wanted to do crops that were not going to take long to grow So over the years because we had an issue of water, my parents were doing dry crops like beans, yams, things that really didn't require a lot of water However, when I wanted to expand, it was difficult for them to understand Okay, spinach, we've never planted spinach and then I told them that no, we should really try spinach and tomatoes There's a market for it, red ground nuts, there's a market for it And so yes, those are the crops that I've been doing and I try to employ some of the youth in Duelana and around four So they are seasonal workers and then they are true permanent workers that we have So when people ask me how many people I employ, I come myself in So there's like six of us right now on the farm Fantastic, fantastic And so just give us an overview of your farm I do see the beautiful background, I see that it is open land So what challenges have you had around open land farming and were you affected by the droughts that happened in the beginning of the year in case it in? So a lot of challenges like right now I'm dealing with pest control There's a lot of fungal diseases, there's a lot of insects chewing on my spinach And that has been a real, real big problem for me because I was organic before and now I had to switch because there was a lot of heavy rains, lost a lot of crops So I had to start using chemical fertilizers And other certain chemicals to fight off diseases and insects Because I had already searched for market before I even planted the spinach So I had to deliver at a certain time So I was feeling the pressure and I had to come up with a quick plan So that forced me to kind of switch to organics The floods did affect us a lot because when we started I started planting spinach as of last year I think we had a thousand seedlings And in this year, because I was really hoping to expand big I had 25 seedlings of the spinach planted But the floods came and I lost more than half of that More than, yes, definitely more than half of that So the floods did really affect me a lot because Right now I'm not organic anymore But with some of the crops here I had to switch to chemicals And yes, like the desired yield that I was hoping for is not going to happen anymore But we move I'm adapting to the change Yeah, and in actual fact I meant to say floods are not drought Right? And I suppose the advantages of undercover farming Is that you are protected somewhat from the excessive and heavy rains And it's true when it does rain And I think people don't get to understand Because they typically say I know in my circles People would say but farmers complain that there's no rain And when there is rain you also complain that there's too much rain So what is it that you want? You know, but I don't think people understand that When there's too much rain There's too many pests and diseases that happen, right? Which then delay our planting cycles Delay operations You can't bring the seasonal workers to come work in the fields Because everything is muddy It's not safe to work on such conditions It's quite hazardous, you know And then when there's not much rain We obviously need some watering and irrigation For our crops at the end of the day So yes, you were mentioned that you were affected by the floods You had to change your farming practices From organic to using a bit of pesticides To mitigate those risks How have you, did you have to train your team To move from organic to using a bit of chemicals? You know, how did they respond to that? And also maybe your customers Because I believe maybe you were selling to your customers You know, telling them that this is pesticide free So what did your customers have to say When you started selling to them And maybe you have to disclose that Hey guys, I've moved from organic principles We are a bit conventional Just so that the farm can survive It was very difficult I had to start from A I've never used pesticides before So I had to do research I had to talk to mentors I had to ask other experienced farmers What chemicals I can use to help my crops So I had to train myself before I even trained my workers So luckily I was able to get help on time And then I was able to train them and get them to work It was difficult for the market parts Because you go to market before you even plant And you tell them, you know what you're going to be expecting This quality organic spinach, you know Just be patient with me It's coming And then the floods came And then I had to switch So it was very difficult for me Because I lost one formal market to store that I was supplying So I couldn't supply them anymore Because my produce was not organic anymore So I had to go out there and look for another market Luckily I was able to find it Yeah And how's the relationship been with your family You know, working in the family business Having to take charge Are they supporting you? Or are your parents allowing you to lead the vision of the business The vision of the company? Just tell us about the family dynamics at this stage I think me and my parents have become closer than before It's quite a blessing for me I really enjoy working with them By the way, I still work with them I still work with them on the farm So I think for the past six years They were really trying to see if it's something that I can really do Because after dropping out from university And not finishing my biochemistry and microbiology degree It was kind of difficult for them to fully accept That I'm back home and I'm running a farming business at this age But I've been learning and I've been growing And I'm saying it's a blessing because they're seeing the growth And they see that I'm learning And there's been progress in the business ever since I came back home So yes, it's amazing Yeah, sometimes on the show We also focus on a lot of challenges that farmers face But I think we know the drill now Besides floods, heavy rains, pest diseases, finance Mentorship, experience, et cetera Tell us about your successes I mean, since you started farming Or being fully fledged into the business Tell us about the milestones that you've achieved What do you hold dear in your heart? What are you grateful for this farm? So tell us about the positive things That have happened to you at Snettimby's or Projus I think I'd go back And say the year 2015 for me Because that's when my journey started When a certain organization called Chams That Gift of the Givers came to school And they were able to help me grow my business By providing me with mentorship and financially So I think that that's where I would say that It's a milestone for me Always grateful for them And I think it would be 2021 Last year a lot of things happened I was able to get into a program with the U.S. Embassy The program was about women in agriculture We were taught certain skills How to run an agribusiness I was also able to get into a program With the DUT inhibitors to acquire certain entrepreneurial skills So that has been huge for me I consider that really one of my huge successes I think working or also getting into a program with GIZ And the German Embassy Coming back home and explaining to my parents The importance of why we need more women Into agriculture That program was really an eye opener for me Yes, I consider that one of my huge successes as well So last year was a really great year for me There was a lot of growing And a lot of challenges But it really forced me to grow Yeah, so it sounds like you are not only passionate But you've really immersed yourself in the industry And you know, you deciding to not pursue your degree And just focus on farming It seems like it's paying off, right? The hard work that you've put in really is showing the results So tell us, you know, what's in it for you In the next three years, five years Where do you see SNET and BISO projects growing? Where do you see yourself as an individual growing? Yeah, what are your goals for the next three to five years? Oh, wow, the list is long But I think the first one would be owning my owning land Owning a farm that belongs to me You know, my grandfather was able to leave a piece of land for me But it's not enough And I'm currently leasing land But I know it's not enough Because I'm constantly expanding And you know, there's market for my produce So if I had bigger land, you know, I would be making more revenue I think the second one is probably getting a degree related to agriculture You know, I'm constantly learning And I'm attending these programs But I really, really, really want to acquire a qualification That is related to agriculture I think the third one would be that I really, really want to continue working With children that I'm working with right now Because I teach children still in school In my community about the importance Of growing their own food, you know One-home-one garden So I really think, I really see my NPO being successful In the next five years I see myself going to other rural communities And teaching them about the importance Of growing organic food Of just growing food, you know Yes, the list is long But I'll just stop there for now I'm actually glad that the list is long Because it shows that you really want to grow yourself Within the industry Make an impact, most importantly, within the industry But because it is Youth Month You are a young person I'm a young person In the agriculture sector Tell us, as we round off this conversation today I just want to find out what is your message To young people in the agriculture sector And maybe if you can expand it Just a little bit also to young people Who are just venturing into business I would say don't be afraid to get your hands dirty If you're going to be entering the agriculture sector And as for businesses, don't be demotivated Please start small Funding will find you along the way I've never been funded large amounts I've just been using what I've been saving Investing money into my own business I would say that they would need to be patient Be being an entrepreneur Requires you to be patient It's a self-business I would say do research Collaborate with other farmers It's very important to go out there Reach out to other farmers Learn There's a lot of knowledge to share And resources to share with other farmers Or other people that are in business In general So yes, I think collaborating, doing research I would say Hard work pays off And I'm really going to say this Because I've seen like most of the youth Right now are really, really into the self-life So I just want to say that hard work pays off You really need to go out there and start working But work smart Work smart, obviously So yes, I would really say I would motivate them to just start businesses Start some things, that's more You know, a lot of people are motivated When they don't get funding When they don't get investments to start businesses But I always say that investors will want to see what you're already doing And add on to that So, yes Wow, Sinitiba, thank you so much for your passion For your love of the industry For the love of your community You know, teaching young people and seeing the importance of really Transferring knowledge to young individuals So that they can too start their own businesses And perhaps maybe, you know, look at careers within the agri-sector Thank you so much for your time today And good luck with everything that you're doing Thank you so much It's a pleasure That was Sinitiba Masingha And she's the director of Sinitiba Beesaw Produce She's based in Kesarden, Andhra And she's following guys She's 22, director at 15 She is running a form of plus minus I think she said two permanent people But four seasonal individuals And that is no joke It might seem like a small number to you But to manage people, run a production of crops Fresh produce said that You know, deal with open farming And the challenges that come with open land farming Managing labor, managing clients, customers And still trying to deal with yourself And grow yourself at the end of the day Over and above that, she's teaching other young people In her community You know, how they can make a success Out of farming And the importance of food security Listen, if that does not inspire you Then I don't know what role Because she's definitely one to look out for And let's just support her If you know Usnitiba and you're around Her region or her area Visit her farm, support her You know, connect with other customers I mean, this girl is growing And I think she can definitely do great wonders With her community support And just any other stakeholders That want to support her initiative But thank you so much for listening Thank you so much for tuning in For subscribing Please share this podcast to anyone That needs inspiration And yeah, keep following us To bring you Or introduce to you And expose to you The phenomenal trailblazers That are making a contribution To the South African agricultural sector Thank you