In the heart of Bazayi Village in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, a 35-year-old maize farmer stands out as a symbol of perseverance.
Siphe Joyi recently received R1.4 million in funding from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) to further help its operations.
As the co-founder of Jay Jay Farm, Joyi embarked on his farming journey on five hectares of land, producing a modest five tons of maize.
His early efforts were tested by a severe storm that could have shattered his dreams, but he refused to give up.
Together with his co-partner, Mzimasi Jalisa, 31, they pressed on and steadily expanded their operations, overcoming challenges and embracing new opportunities.
Today, Jay Jay Farm spans 106 hectares and proudly produces over 420 tons of maize, making a meaningful impact on local agriculture and showcasing what is possible when passion meets perseverance.
The farm supplies various entities in the Eastern Cape. They include Ekhaya Milling in Ugie, Ovk in Elliot and Humansdorp Co-op in Humansdorp, which produce animal feel and mealie meal. They also supply several supermarkets and retail stores.
Joyi told Vutivi News that he started farming in 2014 and later met Jalisa, with whom he runs Jay Jay Farm and Misty Mount Farm with a total size of 439 hectares.
“In 2017, we tried planting maize, and we did not do well. Out of the five hectares we planted, we harvested only 99 bags, which is equivalent to five tons,” said Joyi.
The following year, they received R50,000 in funding from the National Youth Development Agency, and a further R30,000 in funding from the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency.
“We used the funding to expand the maize production and the yield was very good,” said Joyi.
In the same year, they applied for funding from Isqalo Youth Fund.
“However, it took us two years to receive the funds. In those two years, we were troubled by heavy storms that wiped out all the yields we had. We lost 520000 seeds per hectare on 13 hectares of land. By the grace of the awesome God, in 2021, Isqalo funded us and we were able to start from scratch. We bought a tractor and a boom spray,” he said.
Joyi also said they were also under a smart programme run by Ukhanyo Farmer Development in conjunction with manufacturing company John Deere that supported maize producers.
“The programme picked potential maize farmers and they gave us a tractor, planter disc and plough,” said Joyi.
He said they chose maize because it was good crop to produce in the area.
“It is also important for food security, particularly as a staple food for millions of people. It is also a major ingredient in livestock and poultry feed. Our ploughing window period is 15 October until 20 December and we harvest during July and August,” said Joyi.
The farm pays some community members who are part-owners of the land a fee per hectare.
“We also hire people from the community to protect the farm. When it is harvest time, they are also allowed to harvest. Their livestock is also allowed to graze after harvesting and we have created over 100 employment [opportunities for] the villagers,” said Joyi who is also transferring skills to other farmers in their neighbourhood.
He said the recent funding from the ECDC would help with the development of a new storage shed.
“Our small shed could not accommodate all the harvested maize, leading to post harvest losses due to rain and pests. If the shed cannot hold everything, farmers may need to transport maize multiple times to alternative storage and that increases labour and time costs. We are thankful for the funding and it came at the right time,” said Joyi.
