South African farmer forward sells grain in Covid-19 era

摘要

Clifford Mthimkulu, 31, runs a grain and livestock farm close to Senekal in the Free State growing mostly maize, soybeans and sunflowers. Trading as MC Enterprise, the young farmer manages almost1000 hectares of land including his own farm and other land leased from neighbours. "I've been farming full time since 2010," said Clifford, who works alongside his father Koos."My main farm, which is called Astoria Farm, is based near the town of Senekal in the Free State. "Astoria Farm extends to 517 hectares, and then I lease an additionall 20 hectares of land from my neighbour, Mrs AltheaTrieghaard atWelmond Farm, and a further 300 hectares from Dawie van der Merwe at Wilgeboom Farm, which is located 35 kms from the main farm." Clifford's interest in farming has grown over the years since he was a young boy watching his father work on farms. Now he has applied that passion to running his own business,ably guided by his father's wisdom, and making it a success even when faced with the challenges of drought and fluctuating commodity prices. In fact, Clifford's father Koos first acquired Astoria Farm through the government's Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy back in 2006. At that time Koos also purchased used tillage machinery that belonged to a former farm employer who had switched farming policy to focus on livestock production.