Fredd
A quick introduction about what your company does/your values/mission.
Ayzalo farming is a solutions based agricultural business that not only does agriculture and poultry but it also teaches households to feed themselves, this happens through adult teaching and one child at a time creating adult and children Agripreneurs to secure Africas future. In a backyard farming style or hectare option farming.
Tell us about yourself?
I’m have 18 years of banking and telco where 10 were part time farming. This work was specific to the job creation crisis in the country of South Africa which was heading for a negetive trajectory . My own job security not guaranteed I enjoyed the freedom working in empty land provided, and where South Africa is 44% unemployment becomes a reality – currently worse than predicted due to covid* . What house holds do have is small back yard space and hydroponics options to start becoming self sustainable as jobs become scarce, food prices rise.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
“Confront difficulties head on with bravery and conviction- they pass “
What problem does your business solve?
Food price increase mitigation, education gap and recreational activities in the outdoors, creating new career options for children and adults.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
The inspiration was that for something I loved , I learnt the hard way and would have enjoyed having the lessons I have created which also can be paced part time for adults. I also wanted to create options for children where finding a job may be a sad improbability in adulthood can always have means to feed themselves and household if not also their community helping to eradicate crime.
What is your magic sauce?
Well firstly this being a city based program, there are few schools and adult classes built into the busy schedules of the working class. Secondly the availability of a farm which I have provides a perfect location for extended corporate farming .
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Adding technology to farming in drone management; creating animal chip tracker locations to assist in livestock monitoring.
A recreational center for different types of farming where the industry can use artificial intelligence expanding knowledge to children and adults to make farming fun!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Funding constraints, a lot of patriotic views regarding being a women in farming, my fields being harvested by birds losing 80% of my yield (hense the drone idea) . I’ve also faced lack of interest in my children in farming idea in the rural areas but high interest in the city.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
Definitely funding options from venture capitalists to government. I would like corporates who are interested in aiding in a “different type” of job creation. Agricultural funding institutions. I would like schools that see the need for an extension in their educational offerings. Individuals who would like to learn how to transition themselves into farming.
