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February 2024
William Setlaba Raphoto from Lichtenburg was announced as the 2023 PGP/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year. To this humble farmer the award is a huge honour.
He is thankful that he can make a living through his passion and attributes this passion to his late father, Rykie, who was an established farmer and a member of Grain SA. After completing a diploma in animal health from North West University in 2003, William joined his father on the farm and gained a lot of experience in the process. He took over the farming operation in 2020 when his father passed away.
This farming enterprise is a great example of succession farming with William following in his father’s footsteps. His two sons, Tlotliso (12) and Realeboha (7), are already showing a keen interest in farming. ‘They are the reason I have to get up when I face a challenge, so that they don’t get disheartened and lose their passion.’
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
‘Grain SA has played the biggest role in our farming operation by teaching us better agricultural practices and how to deal with challenges,’ the winning farmer says. He is very grateful to Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) for their contribution to his success.
William regularly attends study group sessions and takes training seriously. ‘I also look at what other farmers are doing and if I see something I don’t know, I go and ask them.
To William one of the best lessons he learned through his relationship with the Farmer Development Team was to put money back into the farm and not spend it on things that do not boost his farming operation. In 2023 he invested in another combine harvester which is contracted. The brand-new John Deere 5075E utility tractor which he won in the competition, has expanded his tractor fleet.
William believes that it is important to keep learning and continuously improve if you want to make a success of farming. ‘Farming is a learning curve and that there is always something new to learn no matter how long you have been farming.’
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A FARMER?
Being able to be involved in ensuring food security and job creation in South Africa.
WHAT MAKES FARMING DIFFICULT?
One of the big challenges we as farmers face, is climate change, but with the help of PGP I have learned how to adapt methods to continue producing successfully. Fluctuating prices makes the marketing of produce difficult. With high input costs, we have to come up with ways to cut costs without taking any shortcuts which will affect the quality of our produce.
MOST IMPORTANTLIFE LESSONS LEARNED
I learned the value of longstanding relationships from my father – whether it is a mentor, chemical advisor or friends. I have three farmer friends with whom I am in regular contact. We get together on a regular basis and communicate almost daily. We help each other sort out problems and challenges.
3 TIPS FROM A WINNER
Farm: Lareystryd farm
Nearest town: Lichtenburg
Region: North West
Size: 210 ha of own lands, rents 300 ha
Type: Mixed – crops (maize and soybeans) and livestock (Bonsmara and Simbra cattle, Ille de France sheep, Dorper sheep for meat, goats)
PGP'S CONTRIBUTION
Training courses completed:
A mentor’s view:
Du Toit van der Westhuizen, regional development manager in North West, says William’s passion is only partly responsible for his success. ‘He is really a hard worker who is keen to learn and improve. He is always open to learn from others and has never been afraid to ask for advice and then apply what he learns. William also doesn’t let stumbling blocks discourage him, but tries to find solutions to problems. He is always there for fellow farmers who need guidance.’
Publication: February 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
