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September 2024
SIMON SHABANGA (53), WHO FARMS IN THE CAROLINA DISTRICT IN MPUMALANGA, WAS A NOMINEE IN THE 2023 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL CATEGORY OF PGP’S FARMER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. HE IS GRATEFUL TO THE PHAHAMA GRAIN PHAKAMA (PGP) TEAM FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS LEARNED THROUGH THE FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
The farm Welgevonden, where Simon farms, belongs to his brother, Joseph, but the brothers work on a profit share structure where Simon is in charge of the crop production. He also shares in the profits of the other businesses – cattle, sheep, goats and chickens. Joseph works in transportation in eMalahleni (Witbank) and tends to the livestock side of the farming. Any profit made through the livestock is put back into the crop production.
To Simon, who is also the chairman of the Carolina Study Group, the theory and practical knowledge that are shared during training and study group sessions go hand in hand and help farmers to understand better. ‘Theory and practical knowledge are needed. I learned everything I know from the programme – everything I do from soil correction to harvesting, is a result of the training and practical sessions and the sharing of knowledge during farm visits. As the knowledge came, the understanding came – and then came the success.’
Simon has a rotational planting system on 140 ha of arable land. Last season he realised a yield of 7 t/ha on maize and depending on the field where the soybean was planted, between 1,5 t/ha and 2 t/ha on soybean. Due to the drought, he was not very positive about the results of this season’s crops. ‘My crops are not looking so good this year. It has been a very dry season, a very stressful time for me and the plants.’
WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR CROP PRODUCTION?
The most important thing is soil correction, which you can only do through soil sampling. The roots must be able to reach the deeper layers, where the moisture and nutrients are. Secondly, you get out what you put in – so if you don’t feed your plants with the necessary fertiliser and nitrogen, the crops won’t develop into healthy plants. Thirdly, for healthy crops, you need to control weeds, pests and diseases. Without healthy crops, you won’t realise a good yield.
WHAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR SUCCESS?
The things that have made me successful are the things I learned in the hard times – to trust God and to diversify. We invested in livestock – cattle, sheep and goats – and added chickens as another source of generating extra income. In the difficult times, the cattle carried us through and provided the necessary funds to plant the following season. Without diversity there would have been no success. A farmer needs to trust in God because He is makes things grow and gives us success.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FARMING DREAM?
I want to leave a legacy for my children that their father contributed to food security.
3 TOP TIPS
Farm: Welgevonden
Nearest town: Carolina
Region: Mpumalanga
Size: 1 000 ha, plants 140 ha, the rest is used for grazing
Type of farming operation: Mixed – plants maize and soybeans and has a Bonsmara herd, which is sold on auction. Also owns sheep, goats and chickens.
PGP'S CONTRIBUTION
Training courses completed:
Has completed several courses including:
A mentor’s view:
Timon Filter, PGP mentor and trainer, says Simon is someone who is always walking the extra mile for the farmers in his study group and anyone in need.
‘This is probably why he has been the study group chairperson for many years. He takes time from his busy schedule to drive around to take inputs to the farmers if they couldn’t fetch them. Although he is aspiring to reach greater heights, he will never forget to reach down and pull others up along with him.’
Publication: September 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
