Crop farming dream turns to reality

Growing up in the small town of Idutywa, Sinomtha Saba, 21, used her surroundings as inspiration to pursue a career in the agricultural sector and established Sinomthawelanga Farming, trading under Langa Consortium Pty (Ltd).

Saba started from her backyard six months ago with just a dream to specialise in crop farming.

The young farmer now has a number of crops to sell to market including broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, lettuce, eggplant and spinach. Her entire spinach crop is sold to the local supermarket, a Spar, in Idutywa.

“Being in the agricultural sector is satisfying and fulfilling. The value chain is diverse whether you’re doing primary agriculture or in the agri-processing industry. The work you put in is very rewarding; you are able to change the lives of those around you.” 

“Depending on the weather forecast and how much rainfall we get the crops grow faster. Spinach takes about a month and a week to fully sprout and others way longer, going into three months.”

“Supplying Spar was my 2022 goal but God said it could happen now. I couldn’t be more grateful to the man above,” said Saba.

Although Saba has no tertiary qualification in agriculture, she recently went on a weekly training course offered at Rasmeni Farming in Frankfort to enhance the knowledge she has already acquired.

Talking to the Dispatch, she said the major she faces is being a woman in a male-dominated industry, but that is not dimming her passion for agriculture.

“My aspiration is to take my business to greater heights. I am trying to not limit myself only to primary agriculture but I’m looking into agri-processing as well. The six months I’ve been in this business, I have taken them as my trial and error period. I’m fortunate that this trial and error period exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful for everything, mostly my success,” she said.

Sinomthawelanga Farming has three part-time employees.