Thato Moagi

Thato Moagi is a nationally awarded South African young female Agripreneur and managing director of Legae La Banareng Farms. She has developed an agribusiness model: The Hub & Spoke model that incorporates commercial primary production, agroprocessing and skills development focused on developing sustainable commercial youth farmers. Thato is currently developing and assisting a local community in Modimolle to develop a 1500ha project in goat meat and dairy production system designed for the periurban area.

Her business in Modimolle, Limpopo has been awarded by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as the Young Farmer of the Year 2015 and well as Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015. The MEC of Agriculture in Limpopo has recognised and awarded Thato for her active involvement as a youth in commercial production. Thato has been recognised and mentored by Investec and Nanjing Agricultural University and gained insight in International Food Production Industries in countries such as Israel and China.

Thato has been able to supply local fresh produce markets such as Tshwane Fresh Produce, processing markets such as McCain Foods SA and retail markets such as Pick n Pay and Choppies. This is achieved through her programme of developing agricultural skills as well as offering experiential learning opportunities within the direct community. Having had studied a BSc in Plant Science from the University of South Africa, Thato Moagi has been able to incorporate her scientific knowledge and experience to her technical capabilities.

Thato has presented and participated at several conferences, summits and events where she shares her research and insights on youth in agriculture. She has present in 2017 at: The Urban Agri Summit Africa, Annual AFASA Youth Summit, the International Day of Women & Girls in Science, Goat Agribusiness Conference, and the National Youth in Agriculture Summit.

Thato is the first South African to be chosen to participate in the Nuffield Farming International Scholarship and has travelled and gained insight of the agricultural sector in established and emerging economies. Thato is currently researching ‘The Sustainability of Integrated Production Systems in Emerging Economies” and has been able to do her research in Europe, Asia, South America and the African continent.