मैगज़्टर गोल्ड के साथ असीमित हो जाओ

मैगज़्टर गोल्ड के साथ असीमित हो जाओ

10,000 से अधिक पत्रिकाओं, समाचार पत्रों और प्रीमियम कहानियों तक असीमित पहुंच प्राप्त करें सिर्फ

$149.99
 
$74.99/वर्ष

कोशिश गोल्ड - मुक्त

From backyard to business: Patricia Beleng's journey to success

Farmer's Weekly

|

August 15-22, 2025

Patricia Beleng, owner of Buhlebenkosi Agri Productions, is a determined farmer who went from raising broilers in her backyard to running a poultry business supplying hundreds of chickens to the local market. Lindi Botha reports on the partnerships that brought her success.

- Patricia Beleng

From backyard to business: Patricia Beleng's journey to success

When opportunity comes knocking on Patricia Beleng’s door, she answers. In 2022, she was working as a security guard at Sasol in Sasolburg, Free State, when the company offered a farmer development programme for its staff. “I didn’t know anything about farming at that stage, but I was looking for a challenge, something that would excite me,” says Beleng.

The course gave participants the option to choose between three commodities on which to focus: poultry, cattle, or vegetables. Since Beleng’s mother raised broilers in her backyard, she decided on poultry as she already had some familiarity with this industry.

After three months she was ready to take the leap into farming full-time, and resigned as a security guard. With little start-up capital, she converted her mother’s garage into a chicken coop, expanding the windows and fitting them with mesh wire and tarpaulin to keep the cold out. She stocked the coop with chickens, turning over 100 chickens every six weeks.

Market demand for Beleng’s broilers was consistent, even exceeding production. But a lack of financing meant that expansion was difficult. Recognising the importance of maintaining her market, she bought broilers from other farmers to resell to her market.

During this time she came across a farm in Deneysville that had the infrastructure she needed to expand production, although it was mostly dilapidated. The farm has nine chicken houses, each with a capacity for 3 000 chickens. There is also a hatchery and abattoir.

Beleng recognised its potential and approached the owners to convince them to lease her the farm. “It was not easy — there were a lot of other farmers who were vying for the same property. I had to draw up a business plan and show the owners that I had the skills and drive to turn the farm into a productive unit.”

Farmer's Weekly से और कहानियाँ

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Pet-friendly family accommodation in Gauteng

Escape the daily stresses of life in this peaceful environment embedded in nature, where hiking trails, a picnic spot on the hill and much more are available to guests Riaan Hattingh.

time to read

4 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Commercial beekeeping: managing swarms and logistics

Managing thousands of bee colonies as a pollination service provider is a complex, logistical feat. Added to the challenge is keeping the swarms fed amid dwindling natural resources and crops that offer little nutrition. Jaco Wolfaardt, commercial beekeeper and founder of Ubusi Beekeeping, spoke to Henning Naudé about keeping the bees and business abuzz.

time to read

7 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Owning and exercising endurance horses on a farm

Endurance riding is a recognised equestrian sport, but as Dr Mac writes, these horses can also be used to monitor farm fields and fences.

time to read

2 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

How is snotsiekte spread?

Dear Prof McCrindle, My neighbour's threatening me with legal action because his cattle have snotsiekte. I own a registered game farm where I have kept wildebeest for several decades.

time to read

2 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

The story of South Africa's sugar cane industry

South Africa's sugar industry grew from colonial ambition and Indian labour into a pillar of KwaZulu-Natal's economy, blending science, struggle and resilience to sweeten the nation's history and culture.

time to read

5 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Egg patty English muffins

Elevate your breakfast sandwich with these savoury egg patty English muffins! Made with quick and easy convenience, it is perfect for a weekend brunch.

time to read

1 min

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

The A to Z of internal parasites in cattle

Internal parasites can cause a loss of production and even death if severe enough. Integrated parasite management is essential for effective control. Janine Ryan reports.

time to read

8 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Heating soil not enough to release CO 2

According to a study by researchers at the North Carolina State University in the US heating alone won't drive soil microbes to release more carbon dioxide (CO2).

time to read

1 min

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Resistance to internal and external parasite control in the beef cattle sector is a worry

Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, believes that parasites’ growing resistance to anthelmintic remedies and an increasing parasite load among beef cattle in South Africa is a serious cause for concern. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

time to read

5 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Cannabis roots: the untapped value beneath the canopy

Most cannabis growers obsess over canopy management, trichome development, and final flower weight. But there’s an entire half of the plant we're essentially throwing away, says Thomas Walker.

time to read

2 mins

October24 -31, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size