From Chickens to Potatoes: How a Fort Hare Graduate Is Transforming Farming in the Eastern Cape
Facing the harsh reality of unemployment after graduation, Phikolomzi Kato made a transformative choice—turning to farming as a viable pathway to economic independence. Starting modestly with 15 indigenous chickens on his family land in the Eastern Cape, Kato’s vision has grown into Ngubengcuka Agritech, an enterprise that marries academic expertise with hands-on experience to create a sustainable and market-responsive agricultural business.
Small beginnings, bold ambitions
Graduating in 2022 with an honours degree in agricultural economics from the esteemed University of Fort Hare, Kato’s initial plans to secure formal employment quickly met persistent challenges. Returning home to Qoboqobo, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, job opportunities were scarce. Undeterred, he leveraged his agricultural knowledge and family heritage in farming to found his venture—a model of resilience and innovation.
“We started with just 15 chickens at home,” recalls Kato. “As the flock grew past 100 chicks, I began selling them to fund seed purchases for vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach.” This bootstrap approach exemplifies how grassroots farmers can utilise limited resources effectively.
Combining tradition with innovation
Kato’s strategy integrates the rich traditional methods of his community with scientifically informed practices. For example, he employs ikalika, a natural pest deterrent made from plant extracts, demonstrating an accessible pest management technique though acknowledging that commercial chemicals often provide more robust control.
FFA Explainer:
Ikalika is a traditional, plant-based pesticide commonly used in South African rural farming communities to control insect pests naturally, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals.
Kato also improved his poultry stock by introducing a Hampshire cock, enhancing the quality of his chicks to better meet local market preferences for indigenous and improved breeds rather than standard commercial varieties. His approach represents a practical fusion of knowledge acquired both at the university and through family experience.
Understanding agricultural economics: The bridge to market readiness
Kato highlights the critical role his academic background plays. Agricultural economics informed him not just about production, but importantly, about market dynamics and consumer demand patterns. “It’s the bridge between agriculture and agribusiness,” he explains, underscoring the need for smallholders to think beyond the farm gate toward sustainable income generation.
This is particularly relevant in contexts like Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), where empowering youth, women, and rural farmers to engage competitively in agro-markets is a national priority. By grounding his business in such economic principles, Kato exemplifies how graduates can align farming ventures with broader development targets.
Challenges faced: Water scarcity and infrastructure
Despite these successes, Kato faces structural hurdles familiar to many smallholder farmers across Southern Africa. The greatest challenge remains reliable water access. “I still collect water from the river using my father’s horse,” he says. This labour-intensive process highlights the urgent need for better rural water infrastructure investment.
Plans are underway to expand Ngubengcuka Agritech onto a leased two-hectare plot, but fencing and irrigation systems are critical prerequisites. Kato emphasises, “With proper fencing and a reliable water supply, I intend to scale up potato production substantially—potatoes being a vital crop with significant market potential in the region.”
A Zimbabwean perspective: Lessons and parallels
Kato’s journey resonates strongly with Zimbabwean smallholder farmers like Ms. Tsitsi Mlambo from Mashonaland Central, who also began poultry farming using minimal capital. Aligning with Zimbabwe’s Zimbabwe National Agricultural Policy Framework (ZimNAP, 2020-2030), which advocates for youth-led agribusiness innovation and sustainable land use, Ms. Mlambo integrates indigenous breeds with modern farm practices to boost incomes in a resource-constrained environment.
Similar to Kato’s use of ikalika, Zimbabwean farmers often employ organic pest-control methods, demonstrating the enduring value of combining indigenous knowledge with scientific research across the region.
Building markets from local roots
Ngubengcuka Agritech has cultivated a robust informal market base, supplying poultry and vegetables to hawkers and small-scale traders in Kato’s hometown. This local foothold is a stepping stone to more formal, commercial distribution channels, signalling the scalability of such grassroots enterprises when supported adequately.
Labour-intensive practices such as horse-drawn land preparation and manual water transport reflect current infrastructural gaps but also a steadfast commitment to purpose-driven work. Kato’s ongoing free soil sampling service for neighbouring farmers exemplifies community empowerment—helping others understand soil health and optimise production sustainably.
The path ahead: Vision and sustainability
Looking forward, Kato envisions a future where Ngubengcuka Agritech ranks among prominent potato producers in the Eastern Cape, leveraging modern irrigation and land management investments. His farming philosophy embraces intensive methods—using fertilisers and pesticides judiciously to maximise yield while protecting soil health.
“Sustainable farming is about optimising output and protecting the soil,” he states confidently, reminding readers that ecological balance and business growth can co-exist.
Kato’s story is a beacon of hope and practical wisdom for aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs across South Africa and Zimbabwe. It reflects the power of education, innovation, and traditional knowledge fused effectively to address rural unemployment, food security, and economic inclusion.
Conclusion
Phikolomzi Kato’s journey from 15 chickens to an agribusiness with ambitions to scale potato production encapsulates the transformative potential of farming when paired with determination, education, and community orientation. His enterprise stands as a prototype for young African agriculturists seeking to develop sustainable, market-driven ventures that contribute meaningfully to national growth agendas such as Zimbabwe’s NDS1 and South Africa’s agricultural revitalisation programmes.
Investing in rural infrastructure such as water systems and fencing, while enhancing market access through better logistics, remains key to unlocking the full potential of such initiatives. As Kato demonstrates, the future of farming lies in strategic planning, blending local wisdom with modern science, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
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