Farmer works to help community

A YOUNG farmer from Dumasi village, near Thohoyandou, started his poultry farm in 2011 with the aim of being self-sustainable, as well as creating jobs within his community, especially for young people.

Aluwani Tshifhango (27) from Zwataalma Poultry said he also realised that there was a high demand for eggs and freshly slaughtered chickens in his area, which was why he decided to become the supplier of these products and in so doing close the gap in the market.

Tshifhango won the Vhembe young aspirant farmer of 2013 award and was a finalist in the Limpopo Productivity Awards.

“I was born and bred in the village, and I wanted to work close to home and also give something back to my community. After undertaking other career paths, in 2011 I decided to pursue my dream of farming and have never looked back since,” he said.

Tshifhango said the farm had created work for 14 permanent personnel and 10 seasonal personnel, and the majority were young people.

He further says the farm ensured skills development for employees. “With the skills they learn here, they will have enough knowledge to one day open their own businesses and in their turn empower other young people.

He said he was especially grateful towards his management team, Takalani Tshifhango in marketing, Ruth Tshifhango in stakeholder relations, Nhlanhla Bakane, sales coordinator and Thembi Mathebula in human resources. He said their skills came in handy and he was appreciative of their dedication.

“Although the farm’s priority is poultry, we also plant crops such as butternut, green pepper, tomato, cabbage, sweet potato and spinach under crop rotation. The farm also offers experimental learning to students from Madzivhandila Agricultural College, Vhembe FET and the University of Venda,” he said.

Another of the farm’s projects was the sponsorship of the Dumasi football team. Aspiring farmers were also mentored on the farm, he added.

Tshifhango said being a farmer came with many challenges such as a rise in the feed price, which resulted in the farm increasing the chicken price to the customers. “The farm’s biggest client remains the villagers, as well as people who own Shisanyama who buy a freshly slaughtered chicken for only R60,” he said.

Tshifhango said so far, he was very happy with what he had achieved. “This is not the easiest sector to participate in but all my hard work and determination are worth the rewards,” he concluded.