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March 2017
ON FARM LEVEL
Management practices
The soil sample analysis and the expected yield determine what
and how much fertiliser should be applied. He plans to start with
precision farming to increase efficiency and profit.
Challenges
In this paradise, there are also snakes. The challenging climate,
low profitability of crops and the lack of knowledge in marketing are
a real threat for this farmer. He is also concerned about statements
made by politicians. ‘If something negative about the agricultural
sector is said, I am also effected,’ says Mokoena. There are some per-
ceptions about developing farmers that also need to be addressed.
‘We are only farmers trying to make a living. There is the percep-
tion that we receive everything for free, even though it is not the
truth. I must buy my inputs at the same price and sell my products
at the same market as commercial producers. I am also influenced
by minimum wages, the low efficiencies of the workforce, theft and
a lot more. The lack of knowledge and a lack of good mentors are
some of the challenges I have to face.
‘I am fortunate to have Johan Kriel, a development co-ordinator of
Grain SA, as my mentor. He assists me a lot to make the right deci-
sions. I wish that I can connect with the commercial producers in
my district, though. There is a lot that I can learn from them and I
think that I can also assist them with some challenges,’ he said.
Mechanisation
The replacement of tractors and equipment is expensive. Therefore
Mokoena buys older equipment, repairs them and then use them in
his farming enterprise. The reliability of these older implements is
always a problem. They tend to break and this costs money. He also
repairs some old bakkies to use on the farm.
In future, he plans to spend more attention on planning to be able
to make better marketing and production decisions. Since he is
working fields that are in different districts, he is going to consoli-
date and concentrate. He wants to make sure that he doesn’t have
to transport implements between different farms and districts on
a regular basis. He knew from the start that workers will make or
break his new enterprise. He ensured from the start that he appoint-
ed the best staff he could afford. He assisted his employees with
housing in the township and now they have the privilege of water
and electricity and their children can attend school in town.
Community involvement
Not only the workers benefitted from his actions; but also the com-
munity. He assists the Tweespruit Roman Catholic Church in his
community to uplift the poor, provide food and clothing to the hun-
gry, but most of all to spread the gospel. For more information con-
tact Frans Mokoena at 078 312 7381, Johan Kriel at 079 497 4294 or
Pietman Botha at 082 759 2991.
6: He is a farmer who cares about his community. A school
in the district sent him these pictures.
7: Frans also cultivates teff for a market in Lesotho.
A man with a passion
for work
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