We’ve got them rolling out this week, all the SAB Agriculture Finalists. This is number 4 of 10 for this week, we are joined by Katlego Meso for this recording, enjoy!
Katlego Meso started Katlego Malesa Farming in 2009, where he grows red cabbages, celery, peppers, and broccoli. The farm is 24 hectares in size, with 18 hectares being arable land.
“We plant 20,000 seedlings every two weeks until the targeting area of land is covered. Crop care is important since we farm on an open field. We supply produce to the Johannesburg Market.”
Katlego currently has eight employees, four of whom are permanent.
Katlego became a farmer because he enjoys feeling like he has accomplished a noble deed. “I love the freedom of doing what I love. Farming can create jobs and alleviate poverty.”
Katlego is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to gain better insight of the business, farming skills and market access.
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment and sustainable businesses.
The 15-month Business Development Programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/