From 20 Hectares to 20,000 Cabbage Heads: How Wendy Moshakga Is Revolutionizing Small-Scale Farming in South Africa

In Moletjie, Lonsdale, a young farmer is proving that small-scale farming can be big business. Ms Wendy Moshakga, 27, is transforming 20 hectares of land into a thriving vegetable farm, producing over 20,000 cabbage heads per month while creating jobs, training emerging farmers, and boosting her local community.

Wendy’s journey began with a love for agriculture, specifically cabbage cultivation. Her commitment to quality has led her to author a comprehensive book on cabbage farming and to host monthly classes for aspiring farmers. By sharing her expertise, she is nurturing the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.

Her farm rotates cabbage, butternut, beetroot, and carrots seasonally to maintain soil health and optimize yields. Using borehole irrigation, Wendy ensures that her crops flourish even during periods of drought, guaranteeing consistent supply to the market.

Serage Farm supplies both formal and informal markets, including outlets like Goseame Spar City Centre. While formal markets prefer medium-sized cabbage heads, informal markets are more flexible. Regardless of the market, Wendy ensures that every vegetable meets the highest quality standards, earning her a loyal customer base.

This focus on consistency and quality has allowed her farm to stand out in a competitive market and maintain year-round sales.

Wendy employs five permanent staff, ten part-time workers, and ten graduates, contributing significantly to the local economy. Beyond employment, her farm supports schools and creches through donations and community projects. These efforts have earned recognition from the Polokwane Municipality.

Like many small-scale farmers, Wendy faces challenges. Pricing remains a struggle, as she is often a price taker rather than a price setter. Climate change and limited resources are also pressing issues. Her approach emphasizes starting small, being persistent, and focusing on high-quality production as a pathway to success.

She credits part of her achievements to technical assistance, training, and production inputs from the Department of Agriculture, Polokwane Municipality, and Core Energy. Access to these resources, along with financing and mentorship, has been crucial in turning her farm into a model of sustainable small-scale agriculture.

Serage Farm demonstrates that small-scale farming can deliver big results when combined with dedication, innovation, and community support. Wendy Moshakga’s story is a blueprint for emerging farmers in South Africa: focus on quality produce, smart resource management, and giving back to the community, and success will follow.

With growing consumer demand for high-quality vegetables, farms like Serage are proving that small-scale agriculture is not just viable—it is revolutionizing the sector.