By Mabuyane Mabuza
The land issue is one of the most difficult subjects to discuss given our dark history. Before we proceed, let us get a few facts out of the way. South Africa has approximately 77 million hectares of farmland, with about 20 per cent, depending on who you ask, being fertile enough for crops.
These tracks of land vary in production quality. Some of the land is in top-notch shape for full-scale production, while other areas are more suitable for grazing and other less intensive forms of agriculture. In many conversations with people who are interested in agriculture, one of the subjects that keeps coming up is access to land or lack thereof. Zooming into the sector from outside can seem like a daunting task. It can overwhelm a new person trying to navigate their way in. The question is, where and how does one begin to find that piece of land?

Assuming that you have been doing research about your Agri interest, be it poultry, vegetables, small stock etc. If you haven’t started doing your research, the time is now. Try to focus on your specific interest otherwise, it is easy to get distracted by too much information you do not need at the stage. Most people may only recognise the three most popular methods such as government land, communal and buying. Where does one look for a starter pack piece of land suitable for your agribusiness? There are other methods to access land apart from the most popular ones mentioned above. Some of this land is hiding in plain sight.
Municipal land
Many smaller municipalities have land that is not earmarked for use in the short-term to medium term. Approach the municipality and find out what they have available and what the plans for it are. If there is land available, such municipalities advertise for short to medium term leases. Have a solid business plan and possibly some start-up capital for this. It will help to try and do this in a municipality you are familiar with or at least not too far from your support system.

Industries such as mining
For instance, there are areas where mining houses hold considerable amount of land in their books lying fallow. These companies are often willing to give leases to interested farmers, as long the land is only utilised for agricultural purposes. Again, arm yourself with a good business plan and approach these companies. Do not try to take on too much at a go, start with a reasonable hectarage.
Private land
Some of this land is held in Trusts and you find that some of the beneficiaries of these trusts have little or no interest in the Agri space. While they are figuring things out, they often lease their crop fields to interested farmers. These beneficiaries would want you to produce pronto as their only interest is to make money from the rental whereas most of the corporates also view this as a social responsibility project.

Conclusion
Keep your ears on the ground for such available land and any valuable
information. In the meantime, continue doing your research. Find a mentor and demonstrate your interest and willingness to work and learn. Agri mentors do not have time so, if you do find one hold on to them and learn as much as possible.
All the best!!