Meet the farmers of Ha Ramapepe

Field Training Case Study: Innovation and Community Strength in Ha Ramapepe

Meet the farmers of Ha Ramapepe—a community defined by resilience, innovation, and a shared commitment to progress. 🌱 Two weeks ago, the MADF team proudly delivered 26 bags of potatoes grown through the Machobane Farming System (MFS), a powerful testament to how indigenous, sustainable practices continue to nourish households and strengthen livelihoods.

But this visit was more than a handover. It was an inspiring exchange of ideas, curiosity, and possibility.

Creative Thinking: Beyond Planting to Value Creation

During our discussions and training, the Ha Ramapepe farmers demonstrated not only interest in planting potatoes the MFS way, but also in exploring creative ways to benefit from potato production.

Farmers expressed enthusiasm for:

• Turning potatoes into value-added products such as chips, crisps, or home-style fries

• Using potato harvests to support local school feeding programmes

• Selling potatoes collectively to negotiate better market prices

• Exploring potato storage techniques to reduce waste and extend food availability

This level of forward-thinking is exactly what MFS aims to encourage—empowering communities not just to grow food, but to harness agriculture as a driver of opportunity and economic growth.

Highlighting an Additional MFS Principle: Relay Cropping for Continuous Harvests

Beyond nutrient preparation, spacing, and planting techniques, the team also introduced another core pillar of MFS: relay cropping.

Relay cropping is a method where one crop is planted before another is harvested, ensuring:

• Continuous food supply throughout the year

• Better use of limited land

• Natural soil recovery and improved fertility

• Diversification of harvests, reducing household vulnerability

Ha Ramapepe farmers showed great interest in how potatoes act as the foundation crop in this sequence, enabling smooth transitions into the next crops in the MFS cycle.

More Than a Harvest: A Story of Growth and Belief

The 26 bags of potatoes grown and shared through MFS represent more than a successful yield—they reflect:

• Dedication to sustainable farming

• Collective effort and knowledge-sharing

• A growing belief in self-reliance

• A community taking ownership of its food security

Every harvest tells a story. And in Ha Ramapepe, the story is one of innovation, hope, and a shared vision for a future where agriculture builds stability, dignity, and opportunity.

MADF is honoured to walk alongside the farmers of Ha Ramapepe as they continue to grow—not just crops, but confidence, capability, and community strength. 💚