LTT farmer builds business through perseverance

LIMPOPO – Mususumeli Ramabulana, a livestock farmer from Makhitha village in Ha-Kutama, discovered his passion for farming at a young age.

Inspired by his father’s chicken business and the time spent tending to his grandfather’s cattle and goats in Ha-Mashau, he envisioned a future in agriculture.

With a diploma in plant and animal production from the Merseta programme, Ramabulana started his farming journey five years ago with a small herd of boer goats. Despite initial challenges, he persevered with the support of his brothers. Now, as the owner of Rams Genetics, his operation has steadily grown.

“Farming is a balance between grief and joy. You feel pain when animals are sick or dying, but happiness comes when the kraal grows and there’s enough rain. Animals are good therapy.”

Ramabulana said that networking with other farmers to share knowledge and support, is very important. He sells goats for farming and meat, handling everything from slaughtering to packaging for customers. His dream is to open a goat meat butchery within the next five years, tapping into the growing market for goat meat in Africa.

As a breeder focused on stud animals with traceable genetics, Ramabulana aims to complement nature rather than work against it. Challenges persist, he said, including losses from natural disasters and the high cost of feed during dry winters.

“Success in farming comes from adapting to your environment and investing in animals suited to the area.”