FAST FACTS
Sinelizwi Fakade is a founding member of the Ukhanyo Farmer Development initiative, which supports small-scale farmers through mentorship and production inputs.
Fakade is a commercial grain farmer, and plants maize, soya bean, sorghum and sunflower.
Fakade makes use of soil and foliar analyses, as well as a pest management consultant, to ensure that he uses as little fertiliser and chemicals as possible.
Sinelizwi Fakade is a commercial grain farmer in Ugie in the Eastern Cape. He produces maize, sunflower, sorghum and soya bean on the 1 200ha farm Rocky Park. Fakade is a founding member and chairperson of the Ukhanyo Farmer Development (UFD) programme, an independent non-profit organisation. The UFD was formed by 36 young people who were graduates of Grain SA’s development programme. Before embarking on his farming journey, Fakade was a provincial coordinator at Grain SA.
“With our combined experience and skills, the UFD founders decided to start a youth-owned and women-led independent entity that [aims] to address the challenges that prohibit black farmers from reaching commercial status in the Eastern Cape.
“The UFD enables subsistence and emerging farmers, women, youth and co-operatives to access markets, finance, infrastructure development and growth opportunities,” says Fakade.
The purpose of the UFD is to help farmers in rural communities increase the volume and quality of their produce by offering them comprehensive support in the form of mentorship and inputs, which enables them to participate meaningfully across the agricultural value chain and help boost their incomes.
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2020-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra November 27, 2020-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
