Searching for the top KZN young farmer

THE agricultural sector acknowledges and celebrates the industry’s younger generation of farmers with the annual Toyota Young Farmer of the Year competition.

The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has launched their hunt for a farmer under 40 years of age to represent the province at the national competition, to be held in October in Pretoria.

Encouraging as many young farmers from KZN to enter, CEO Sandy La Marque said, ‘This competition highlights the great skills and entrepreneurial spirit required to be a successful farmer.

‘We know we are blessed with a very high calibre of farmer in our province, but this competition is more than just how much a farmer is able to produce or how pretty their farm looks.

‘It’s about sound business acumen and strong agricultural practices among a whole range of other criteria.’

National award

The annual contest will see the most promising young farmers from all nine provinces compete for the coveted title, currently held by Northern Cape farmer Jaco Strauss, and drive away in a brand new Toyota Hilux single-cab.

Young farmers, whether they are owners or partners in a farm, male or female and full members of their provinces’ agricultural unions are eligible for entry.

The judging and evaluation of the farmers and their agricultural practices, takes place at provincial level with the applicants being evaluated on all aspects of their business including their overall vision for the future of their farm/ business.

Judging criteria

The main feature on which the entrants are judged is their management/ business philosophy as well as the technical competence with which this philosophy is applied.

Judges visit the farmers on their farms during the selection process.

They consider all facets of the farmers’ business from financing, budgets, investment policy, to the technical aspects of livestock breeding systems, disease control, pasture systems and plans, to the fertilization, weed control and cultivation practices of crops and orchards.

Entries for the KZN Young Farmer of the Year competition close on 31 July.

For more information and to enter now, visit www.kwanalu.co.za or call 033 3429393.