Food Security and Agriculture for South Africa

Margaret Molefi has been farming since 1990 and officialised and registered Ulala Holdings in 2016. Ulala Holdings is currently leased with 350 hectares of land for grazing and 200 hectares of land for crop by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The governmental land is situated approximately 50km from Morokweng in the North West province. The project has various livestock and are as follow: 38 female calves, 18 heifers, 105 cows, two bulls, 2 small bulls (Bonsmara and Brahaman breed). The project are also 65 sheep and 42 goats. Due to lack of adequate infrastructure, the poultry (rainbow chickens) was temporarily on hold. However, there are 29 household chickens and 18 pigs at the farm land for subsistence purposes. Ulala Holdings is a registered members in the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation (NERPO) and its directing efforts to supply red meat to regional slaughterhouses and red meat producers. Reliable ground water is supplied by mean of borehole and fuel-operating generator (though very costly) at project. The water is stored in a man-made zinc dam. Zinc dams are very ideal to further harvest rainwater. Corrugated zinc water dams offer a safe solution that doesn’t release chemicals over time, unlike plastic alternatives. They are also easy to clean and require minimal maintenance due to their durability. Due to lack of infrastructure and resources; the 200 hectares of land for crop is currently not in use but maintained. However, the area is friendly for sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and groundnuts. The North West province produces one-third of the country’s maize, and is therefore a serious aspiration of Ulala Holding to engage in crop farming to engage in market that major crop market that contributes 40% of the nation’s supply. Ulala Holdings recognizes the value of empowering female farmers and has since its inception; cooperated with other local farmers. The project aims to enhance economic inclusion for Black women farmers, including youth and people living with disabilities in local economies.