From Backyard to Breakthrough: How Noko Moholane's Farm Dreams Are Blossoming Despite Government Neglect

From Backyard to Breakthrough: How Noko Moholane's Farm Dreams Are Blossoming Despite Government Neglect

By Noko Mabofa Maleka | Insight Jozi News

In the heart of Moletjie, Limpopo, where the sun scorches dry soil and hope often battles hardship, a young man named Noko Moholane is quietly rewriting the story of rural agriculture in South Africa.

Armed with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree from the University of Limpopo, Noko was filled with dreams of cultivating the land, feeding communities, and becoming a contributor to South Africa’s food security. But what he wasn’t prepared for was the silent war he would face after graduation — a war against a lack of support, a shortage of land, and the deafening silence of a government that claims to champion agricultural development.

“After finishing my degree, I applied for land, I knocked on every door — but nothing. Not even a response,” says Moholane. “Eventually I realized I had to start where I was, with what I had — my yard.”

And start he did.

What began as a few seedlings has now grown into a thriving small-scale farm nestled within the boundaries of his family yard. From avocados, mangoes, and oranges to seasonal vegetables, Noko’s backyard farm has become a beacon of resilience and innovation. He sells fresh produce to communities around Polokwane and nearby villages — both to individual households and small businesses looking for reliable supply.

His Biggest Challenge: Water

In Moletjie, many households still live without running water. For a farm, this is catastrophic. “I had to drill a borehole, but the water isn’t enough,” he explains. “So I buy water every month just to keep the crops alive. It’s expensive, but I can’t let them die. This farm is all I have.”

A Wake-Up Call to Limpopo’s Department of Agriculture

Noko’s story raises a very uncomfortable question: If a qualified, passionate, and self-driven graduate like Moholane can’t get help from the Department of Agriculture, who is being helped?

It is deeply troubling that in a province rich in fertile land and blessed with young talent, the very people who should be championing food production are left to fend for themselves, watering crops from JoJo tanks and borrowing equipment from neighbors while departments sit on billions in annual budgets.

“If I had just half the support given to commercial farms, I could employ at least 5 people right now,” Moholane says. “There are young people here who want to work — I could train them.”

An Opportunity Being Wasted

South Africa faces a dual crisis: rising unemployment and food insecurity. Young farmers like Noko Moholane offer a solution to both — if only the state would pay attention.

Instead, while government agricultural projects are often riddled with red tape, inefficiency, or even allegations of corruption, Noko quietly wakes up every morning to water his crops, plant his seeds, and sell his harvest, using little more than passion and prayer.

A Call to Action

We call on the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Minister John  steenhuizen to visit Moletjie, see what this young man has built with nothing — and ask themselves what he could do with proper support.

This is not a request for charity — this is a plea for partnership. Moholane is not a passive recipient. He is a producer, an innovator, and a pillar of hope for his community. He deserves better.

For inquiries about produce or to support his farm water project, contact Noko Moholane at +27 84 915 6377.

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Labels: agriculture, young farmers, Limpopo, backyard farming, black excellence, Noko Moholane, small-scale farming

Meta description: Meet Noko Moholane, a young farmer from Moletjie, Limpopo, who turned his yard into a thriving farm despite being ignored by government. A story of resilience and a wake-up call to South Africa’s agricultural leadership.