Fruit Farming Seen As a Viable Alternative To Mining
In Africa where four out of ten adults and almost half of the youth are unemployed, those who have jobs – no matter how gruelling they can be – are considered very fortunate. However, some members of Africa’s work force are in danger of being pushed out of the mining industry after Anglo American Platinum or Amplats, touted as the world’s largest primary producer of platinum, has announced its intention to cut over 3,000 jobs to restore profits. Those who felt anger and frustration over Amplats’ decision organized a 13-day strike, which only drew to a close after Amplats offered voluntary severance packages to their grief-stricken wage-earners.
Indeed, African miners do not seem to have a bright future ahead of them, but a Reuters report written by Ed Stoddard may give hope to those on the verge of joining the ranks of the jobless. Stoddard writes about how former miner Peter Somakhephu of Eastern Cape province in South Africa turned his life around through small-scale fruit production. Such a business wasn’t as attractive and practical before, but recent developments made possible by Is’Baya Development Trust, among others, has made farming a financially viable alternative to underground labor that oftentimes fail to reward laborers with the wages they deserve.
The Is’Baya project, which aspires to create co-ops that will ease marketing and distribution in the agriculture sector still said to be dominated by white commercial farmers, have already brought change to the lives of more than 5,000 households – Somakhephu’s included. With his orange trees, banana plants, and a host of other fruit-bearing vegetation, it can be said that Somakhephu has gained a new lease on life. Hopefully, his story would inspire not just miners but also the countless others looking for ways to make money and support their families to try their hand at farming.
There are other benefits to farming done right aside from the prospect of raking in profits. “It’s better to be a farmer than a miner. I have no supervisor, I am self-employed,” gushed Elliot Belem, Somakhephu’s neighbour who used to be a first-aid worker in a gold mine. Without the pressure of hastily following orders, a farmer can work at his own pace and concentrate on the task at hand. His products will not only feed his immediate family but will also fill the stomachs of people within and beyond the country’s borders. Those interested to walk the path of the farmer only have to approach proponents of the Is’Baya project to receive proper training.
Agriculture in some parts of Africa is still seen as a peasant activity where white farmers are perceived to have higher chances of success. However, fledgling fruit farmers should not be afraid to find a way around various obstacles. Those who are hesitating to make the first move should always keep in mind that even the biggest corporations have their humble beginnings. With the right combination of perseverance, passion, and wits, no African should have any problems inching their way towards their personal goals.
Humphrey Kariuki Ndegwa has a strong passion to create a large enterprise and providing employment for those deserving persons both in Kenya and the wider East Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
Reference: FEATURE-Fruit farming offers escape from South Africa’s mining gloom, Reuters, October 11, 2013 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/11/safrica-miners-farming-idUSL6N0I01FS20131011)
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