Founder Friday: L&F Poultry Farming

In a sector known for long hours, unforgiving demands, and tight margins, agriculture entrepreneur Lerato Nkhumane, founder of L&F Poultry, is carving out a space defined by discipline, heart, and deliberate growth. Her approach to farming blends structure with intention a balance she guards carefully. Lerato separates her personal life from the business, uses clear working hours, and refuses to run the operation entirely alone. With hired support and a deep commitment to family, she plans her days around the things that matter most. Even during busy weeks with new chicks, she protects time for her loved ones.

Using Technology to Keep the Business Running Smoothly

Technology plays a surprisingly central role at L&F Poultry. Lerato manages much of the operation through remote digital tools surveillance cameras, mobile communication with the team, and online research to stay ahead of industry shifts. These tools allow her to monitor the business without being physically present every hour and give her the speed needed to solve problems fast.

Navigating Water, Electricity, and Feed Challenges

Running a poultry operation in her area comes with some hard realities. Water access is unreliable, electricity costs are high, and feed prices continue to climb. Lerato counters these pressures through bulk buying, careful feeding schedules, and tight cost management to maintain margins. When power becomes an issue, she and her team switch to solar to keep operations stable and ensure the chickens remain warm.

A Vision to Teach And Employ

Lerato’s ambitions stretch beyond business performance. She wants her journey to inspire others especially young women. Her long-term goals include hosting poultry workshops, offering entrepreneurial guidance, and creating job opportunities in her community. In five years, she sees L&F Poultry operating on a larger farm, producing a broader range of products, and supporting a sizable workforce.

Scaling Into Bigger Markets and New Product Lines

Expansion is already in her plan. Lerato is working on strategies to access larger markets, secure more land, and diversify her offering while keeping poultry at the centre. She chose poultry because she saw a clear gap her community needed fresh eggs, and she moved quickly to meet that demand. While poultry is her primary focus, she’s open to exploring crop farming in the future.

A Passion for Children’s Books and Literacy

Beyond farming, Lerato is also a children’s book author and co-runs a reading initiative with her best friend, Tshwarelo Mkhabela. Her passion was sparked years ago while working with children and reading to them daily. Childhood memories of receiving food parcels that included storybooks further strengthened her love for storytelling. Today, she channels that passion into writing and building a literacy initiative that encourages children to fall in love with reading.

Compliance And Mentorship

Lerato treats compliance as a priority, researching South African poultry regulations and working closely with inspectors who visit her operation. Her advice to young Black entrepreneurs entering poultry is direct and grounded in lived experience:
Don’t take shortcuts. Ask for help. Do your research. Find a mentor. Know your “why.” Work hard. Stay consistent. Don’t fear failure and don’t assume poultry is a quick-money industry.

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