A SHEPHERD OF THE SOIL

Shepherds of the soil is what Grain SA, the organisation that looks after the country’s grain farmers, calls Cocky Mokoka and the group of farmers he belongs to. They promote the use of regenerative farming principles, an approach that puts nature at the centre of all decision-making on their farms.

By doing so, farmers become more productive and make more money while improving soil health. It’s also a cheaper way to farm, as less expensive inputs are used. Other advantages are less water that runs off, less soil and wind erosion, and better retention of water in soils – all common challenges faced by conventional farmers.

Cocky, who hails from Lichtenburg in the North West province, farms on the 740ha farm Seekoeifontein just outside Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal area.

Growing up in the former rural homelands of Bophuthatswana, Cocky was only ever exposed