“[My mother] showed me how farming could feed a family and fund a future,” he says. That spark led him to study rural resources management and horticulture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he developed a passion for community-driven agriculture and farmer development.
With the support of the Maize Trust Bursary Scheme, Mchunu completed an honours and a master’s degree, equipping himself to serve, educate, and empower farmers.
The bursary didn’t just fund his tuition; it fuelled real-world research. From travelling to rural communities to conducting trials and hosting stakeholder meetings, Mchunu’s postgraduate work was impactful and hands-on.
While working as an agronomist at Pannar Seed, his bursary helped him bridge the gap between seed companies and emerging farmers, ensuring research turned into results in the field.
“It allowed me to understand what farmers truly need, and how to build sustainable partnerships that support development and market growth,” he explains.
Now, with over 20 years of service at Pannar, Mchunu works directly with emerging and subsistence farmers, providing them with technical support and helping to build a stronger, more inclusive seed system in South Africa.
He’s particularly focused on making quality seed more accessible in rural areas, collaborating with stakeholders to unlock agricultural potential at the grassroots level.
“The Maize Trust changed my life, and now, I get to pay that forward, every single day, by helping farmers grow not only crops but their futures, too,” says Mchunu.
For more information on the Maize Trust visit agrimanage.co.za.
