21/12/2024
My name is Ntokozo Ngcamu, aged 22, and I’m a young dairy farmer from Kokstad, KZN, South Africa. I’m currently based in the small village of Minsterley, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom. I am a Junior Farm Manager/2IC on a 300-cow organic dairy herd farm using a New Zealand-based grazing system for cheese production.
I made the decision to get into agriculture when I was in the 7th grade and pursued work on friends’ farms in the Kokstad area during school holidays (beef and arable) as my parents couldn’t afford to take me to an agricultural school; moreover, this also set me apart from my peers and the lifestyle they lived and pursued at the time. I was introduced into dairy farming between the ages of 14 and 15 and fell in love with the forever demanding industry.
Dairy farming has influenced me to always seek and enlighten others of new ways of being efficient, effective, and productive in the agricultural industry as a whole while practicing sustainability and maximising profits.
For people who want to start farming:
▪️It is important to be specific about what area of the agriculture industry they’d like to get into.
▪️I always suggest that people get hands-on experience first, then later go study (if that’s what they’d like to do).
▪️Or pursue to practice in an existing business already first and then dive into running your own operation.
▪️Going to an agricultural institution is also advantageous.
▪️Get a coach, get a mentor, and get a sponsor. These are the people that can guide you in your journey.
▪️Furthermore, folks should not hesitate to start. It’s better to try and fail than it is to not try at all.
We need more farmers in South Africa. Our younger folk should really consider pursuing farming on the highest level.
I’m available for contact on my socials.
Instagram:
Facebook: Ngcamu
LinkedIn: Ngcamu
