Small-scale farmer gets big-time recognition
A KWAZULU-NATAL’S farmer’s love for nature finally bore fruit when he bagged the coveted “KZN Guinea Fowl” award after gaining 20 years’ of experience as a third-generation farmer.
Marlen Manivasagen Pillay, 40, was nominated by Tongaat Hulett’s Darnall Mill on the province’s North Coast in the small-scale grower category.
The award recognises, among others, growers who excel in sustainability, soil conservation, infrastructure and consistency in the agricultural sector.
Pillay owns and manages Wellvale Farm near Dendethu, KwaDukuza, where he also lives.
Sugar cane on Wellvale Farm is produced on a small scale and vegetables on a commercial scale. Broiler production is in the pipeline.
He was selected by Tongaat Hulett to complete a year of studies in sugar-cane production and field management.
Born into a family of farmers, Pillay drew inspiration from his parents, siblings and staff members, who taught him how to handle and rear livestock after school and during school holidays.
“In 1940, my paternal grandfather purchased an eight-hectare plot in Durban after having served his period of indenture at the Mount Edgecombe and Tinley Manor sugar mills, which belonged to Tongaat Hulett.
“Thereafter, he built a wood-andiron dwelling for his family of 10, who later farmed to sustain themselves. The dwelling is now a modern house,” said Pillay.
At a young age, he accompanied his mother every Saturday morning to the local fresh-produce market, where he gained valuable knowledge and experience about trading.
“My mother would take care of the sale of vegetables grown on the farm, while my father handled the transporting of sugar cane to the mill.”
Pillay has a diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Technology from Technikon Natal, now known as the Durban University of Technology.
“We currently afford 17 full-time employees a living, with 26 casual staff members also employed over the festive season, alongside producing 1 500 tons of sugar cane a year.
“I see potential in any situation with which I am presented. Offer me a piece of land or veld and watch me raise a crop and harvest food, which is the greatest gratification and reward of farming.”
The unpredictability of weather patterns and global climate change Pillay cited as being among his greatest concerns.
Having been fortunate enough to attend a research programme three years ago in India, he now plans to implement his own irrigation system in some of the sugar cane fields.
“My advice for upcoming farmers is that farming is not for the faint-hearted, and neither is it a get-rich-quick scheme. One has to have a passion to farm, work hard and be dedicated.”
He expressed gratitude to Tongaat Hulett for trusting and recognising him as a small-scale grower and supporting him during difficult times.
Pillay also specialises in landscaping services in Ballito, north of Durban, and he is in the process of becoming a certified marriage officer.
His success led him to purchase his neighbour’s land and build a new home for himself and his family.