Young, Black and Farming | The Business of Poultry Farming in South Africa #ICWRS

In this episode of In Conversation With Rudy Samuel, we sit down with Bongz Khumalo, a young South African farmer and founder of Nkabohle Poultry Farm in Pretoria West. Bongz began dreaming about farming at just 15 years old. Today, in his early 30’s, he is building a poultry farming operation that produces thousands of broiler chickens while balancing a full time job. This conversation explores the business of poultry farming in South Africa and what it really takes to succeed in agriculture today. We discuss the financial realities of starting a poultry farm, the equipment and infrastructure required, how farmers generate income, and the challenges facing the industry including crime, funding and access to land. Bongz also shares how his farm contributes to developing the next generation of farmers by hosting Tshwane University of Technology agriculture students, giving them hands on experience and providing them with a stipend while they learn the practical side of farming. This episode is about more than farming. It is about entrepreneurship, ownership, food security and the opportunities agriculture presents for young Africans. Topics covered in this episode • The business of poultry farming in South Africa • How much it costs to start a poultry farm • Equipment needed for poultry farming • Challenges farmers face in South Africa • Farming while working a 9 to 5 • Employment opportunities in agriculture • The role of the South African Poultry Association • Training agriculture students through practical experience Follow Bongz Khumalo Twitter: @BongzThaMr_K Website: www.nkabohle.co.za Subscribe for more conversations with African entrepreneurs, builders and change makers. #ICWRS #TheFutureIsAfrican #PoultryFarming #FarmingInSouthAfrica #AfricanEntrepreneurs #Agriculture #YoungFarmers 00:00 Intro to the Business of Poultry Farming in South Africa 01:11 How Bongz Khumalo Started His Poultry Farming Journey 03:37 How to Acquire Land for Farming in South Africa 05:30 Convincing His Parents to Sell Their Home to Fund the Farm 08:00 Inside Nkabohle Poultry Farm and How the Operation Works 14:07 How Much Money You Need to Start a Poultry Farm 15:04 The Biggest Challenges Farmers Face and How to Overcome Them 16:23 The Real Costs of Running a Poultry Farm 17:30 Competition and Rivalry in the Farming Industry 18:38 Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Starting a Farm 20:39 Equipment and Machinery Needed to Run a Poultry Farm 22:25 When Bongz Plans to Leave His 9 to 5 for Farming Full Time 23:20 How Many People Work on the Farm and How They Are Trained 24:12 How Farming Can Help Solve Unemployment in South Africa 25:47 The Biggest Leadership Lesson Bongz Learned as a Farmer 26:39 Farm Theft and Security Challenges Farmers Face 30:55 How Farmers Deal with Crime on South African Farms 32:51 Do Young Black Farmers Have Access to Land and Funding 34:04 The Role Government Should Play in Supporting Young Farmers 35:24 The Bongz Khumalo Farming Playbook Masterclass 35:40 Can You Start Farming with R20,000 37:08 The Simplest Way to Enter the Agriculture Industry 38:40 The First Three Things to Do Before Starting a Farm 40:20 What to Avoid When Entering the Farming Industry 41:30 How Farmers Find Customers and Sell Their Products 43:03 The Mindset Needed to Succeed in Farming 44:32 How Bongz Stays Competitive in the Farming Industry 46:01 What the South African Poultry Association Does for Farmers 46:52 Rapid Fire Questions with Bongz Khumalo 50:28 Advice Bongz Would Give His 15 Year Old Self 52:28 Final Thoughts and Outro