Enter the Young Farmer of the Year competition now!

Entries for the 2016 Toyota Young Farmer of the Year have officially opened and KZN’s Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, is searching for an outstanding candidate to once again, do KZN proud.
In 2015, KZN’s provincial winner, 34-year-old Anthony Goble, a sugarcane, banana and macadamia nut farmer from Tongaat, beat contestants from all over the country to become the Agri SA/Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year, a first for the province.
This year’s national competition takes place in October and the winner will drive awat in a brand new Tohota Hilux single cab.
“The way the competition is structured is great and the judge’s visit is like a free consultation. The added bonus is a great prize and the opportunity to compete on the national stage and maybe even win a bakkie. I encourage all young farmers to enter – let us keep the trophy in KZN,” said Goble.
All young farmers under the age of 35, whether owners or partners in a farm, male or female and who are full members of their province’s agricultural union can enter.
Farmers’ business philosophy and the technical competence with which this philosophy is applied are the main features on which farmers are judged.
During the selection process, judges visit farmers on their farms to look at all facets of the farmers’ business, including financing, budgets, investment policy, technical aspects of livestock breeding systems, disease control, pasture systems, fertilization and weed control and cultivation practices of crops and orchards.
Young farmers are also judged on labour philosophy and housing, attitude and reaction towards land reform and black economic empowerment as well as personnel practices, involvement in organised agriculture and the community and layout and appearance of the farm and farmyard.
“We encourage all of our young farmers to enter this year; they are the future of this country’s food security and should be honoured,” said Kwanalu CEO, Sandy La Marque.
She said the competition highlighted the great skills and entrepreneurial spirit required to be a successful farmer.
Entries for the KZN Young Farmer of the Year competition close on July 29, 2016. For more information or to enter, visit www.kwanalu.co.za or call 033-342-9393.

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