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April 2024
T
here is a Malawian proverb that says: those who accomplish great things pay attention to little things. Success is made up of paying attention to ‘small things’ – the details. Paying attention to detail and remaining focussed on his goal of becoming a fully-fledged commercial farmer, helped Philani Patrick Khoza (36) to become the 2023 PGP Potential Commercial Farmer of the year.
Philani was motivated to become a farmer while studying agricultural management at a college in Mooi River. In his studies, he acquired a basic knowledge of farming. After graduating, he worked at several commercial farms but wanted to try his hand at being a ‘real farmer’. With little knowledge (and even less grain-farming experience), he decided to start planting a single hectare in 2014.
It was at about this stage that his path crossed with Grain SA. ‘This relationship has been fantastic,’ says Philani. Once he became part of the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) Farmer Development Programme, he could increase his agricultural knowledge and get the necessary training to develop as a farmer.
His initial single hectare has successfully grown to the current 82 ha he now plants. He farmed with livestock as well, but due to high levels of theft in the area he decided to focus on crops. ‘Farming is difficult. There are many challenges, and the challenges change with every season, but I find it exciting.’
The 2022/2023 season offered him quite a bit of ‘excitement’ with all the challenges he faced. ‘It was a tough season that required quick thinking. Due to the heavy rainfall during this season, I was compelled to plant outside the planting window, which led to more challenges.’
Before the maize was ready to be harvested, cattle from the communal area got into the field and Philani was forced to get workers in to pick the crops by hand to avoid big losses. His determination to succeed is clear, as he still managed to produce 5,5 t/ha of maize and
1 t/ha of soybeans in such challenging circumstances.
Philani is confident that the 2023/2024 season will be a better one – although each challenge offers him the opportunity to grow and develop into a better farmer.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A FARMER?
I chose farming because I love the outdoors and the variety of things one can do in a day. My father, Derrick, is a businessman and owner of several liquor stores, where the whole family works. I found the work in the family liquor stores too monotonous.
WHAT CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS?
Attention to detail is extremely important to me. I think my studies in agricultural management contributed to this. I am also focussed on growth and am trying not to deviate from that goal at all, no matter how many challenges I face.
Gaining knowledge also played a vital role in my success. There are so many decisions that you must make as a farmer and even though my mentor plays a huge role and helps making many decisions, I can make them independently as well.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
In the short term, I would like to increase my leasing hectares and in the medium term, I hope to continue moving up the commercial farming ladder to become a farmer who is high up on the ladder. Hopefully acquiring my own land is not too far in the future.
PHILANI’S 3 TOP TIPS
Farm: Communal land in Dukuza
Nearest town: Bergville
Region: KwaZulu-Natal
Size: 82 ha – plants 40 ha soybeans and 42 ha maize
Type of farming operation: A crop farmer, planting maize and soybean
PGP'S CONTRIBUTION
Training courses completed:
Has completed several courses including:
A mentor’s view:
Graeme Engelbrecht, regional development manager at Grain SA’s Dundee office, says Philani is very level-headed and has a good grasp of working hard to achieve things. ‘He is well balanced in his decision-making, with a strong focus on achieving the objective. Decision-making is analysed against whether or not the plan will achieve the objective.’ Philani also has strong family values, as he comes from an honest, hardworking family.
Publication: April 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
