Food insecurity is a growing concern amongst South Africans as farmers are pressured to feed the nation during load-shedding.
Dealing with load-shedding is a problem that every South African must face on a seemingly, daily basis. The consequences of an inconsistent power supply to our commercial, governmental, and residential properties are extensive and frustrating at the best of times. The persistence of recent load-shedding has negatively impacted the agricultural sector and the farmers working in the industry.
Mr Kagiso Dirapelo, the Founder and Director of Lonaka Farm Produce, is one such person who has proven everlasting dedication and commitment despite the difficulties encountered. Lonaka Farm has prospered under Mr Dirapelo's innovative guidance, specializing in cattle production, horticulture, and mobile butchery, and is located outside Mahikeng in Moletsamongwe village. Despite its small beginnings, Lonaka Farm has grown significantly, offering worthwhile prospects for the neighbourhood. Lonaka Farm has been instrumental in solving unemployment in areas where job creation is crucial. The farm now employs seven full-time employees, four part-time employees, and one student in the government's learnership program through strategic employment initiatives.
Diarapelo expressed his desire to change the community by creating jobs and empowering them. "I was always inspired from a young age to own the farm as I had to care for my family’s animals. What inspired me even more was that I could create wealth for myself and my family while creating jobs for my community. The farm is in a poverty-stricken community where job creation is paramount," he said.
Mr Dirapelo stated that they aspire to rank among the top commercial farmers in South Africa and export some of their products to nearby nations and abroad. However, a lack of resources and the current load-shedding crisis prevent them from doing so and meeting the demand. "Due to our inability to fulfil the high customer demand, we must operate on a modest scale even if we still wish to grow. On the other hand, we must pay our staff and maintain our facilities. Only with financial support and market value will we be able to expand more quickly," he said.
Lonaka Farm has witnessed remarkable expansion since 2018, boasting an impressive livestock inventory that includes over 700 broiler chickens, 1152 layers dedicated to egg production, and on horticulture farming a half hectare of spinach (some grown under shade net and using hydroponics), two hectares of cabbage, onions, tomatoes, green peppers (peppers and tomatoes grown inside polytunnels).
Dirapelo indicated that to start raising cattle and sheep and supplying his new business venture with meat, he had to sell the ones he started with. Apart from the chickens, the farm does not have any livestock. Therefore they purchase meat from auctions and sell it to the market. The farm also runs a mobile butchery that serves various customers, including local supermarkets, quick-service restaurants, and people looking for high-quality meat.
Although Lonaka Farm has achieved remarkable success, it faces challenges inherent to running a business. The impact of power cuts on South African farms has many negative and far-reaching consequences that reverberate through the supply chain. "Load-shedding severely impacts us as farmers because we need to use generators to keep the lights on and the heat on for our chickens. Diesel is more expensive than electricity. Therefore we must use generators when there is load-shedding, and the cost of diesel is costing us money. Due to this, most farmers would be unable to supply the demand, leading to food insecurity,” said Dirapelo.
The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism recognized Lonaka Farm's potential and offered critical support through its empowerment fund program. The farm has now obtained the necessary tools and machinery, including a display refrigerator, old bandsaw, meat mincer, and sausage filler. These modifications will significantly increase the farm's operational efficiency, enabling it to provide its devoted customers with better services.
