Eager-to-learn Paul on the way to commercial farming

November 2017

Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year (100 ha, but producing less than 250 tons) 


RUTH SCHULTZ, SA Graan/Grain contributor 

The Grain SA/Monsanto Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year category is a new category in this year’s competition, where farmers who have access to more than 100 ha of arable land, but despite currently not being able to use all the available land, are in a position to become 250 Ton New Era Commercial farmers.

Mr Paul Malindi (48) from the farm Dankbaar, near Edenville in the Free State, was the first farmer to take this brand-new category's winning title home.

Malindi planted 180 ha of maize and 140 ha sunflower this season on his 440 ha farm that he obtained through the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) programme. He grew up on a farm in Heilbron, but moving into the modern-day farming world, opened his eyes to the world of farming. 

Through Grain SA’s training courses he learned more about advanced maize production and marketing, preparing him for the road to becoming a commercial farmer. ‘Grain SA has trained us to keep up with new methods and technology; to do away with the old ways in order to move forward and succeed,’ Malindi said during a DVD presentation that was screened during the awards ceremony.
 
Using the knowledge he obtained from training courses, his study group (that he was founding member of) and farmers days, he applies a hands-on approach on his farm. This practical leader also farms with livestock (cattle, meat merinos and goats). To make sure the increasing livestock have enough grazing, he now leases additional land for pasture. 

‘I want to plant more crops, such as soybeans and also increase my livestock, so that my farming business can grow,’ he said.      
 

Publication: November 2017

Section: Grain SA