Local carrot giant targets regional markets
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday June 30, 2026 12:34
Located in the Tuli Block region, Lucerne Fields has grown into the country's largest carrot producer, supplying between 400,000 and 500,000 carrots to the domestic market every month. The farm's success demonstrates the potential of commercial agriculture to strengthen local food systems, create employment, and contribute to economic diversification.
The journey to becoming a leading producer was not without challenges. The founder of Lucerne Fields began farming in 2007 after years of preparation and investment by Jan Stiglingh . Guided by advice from his father to first establish a source of income before venturing into agriculture, Stiglingh invested his savings into developing farmland and installing boreholes to ensure a reliable water supply.
Initially, the farm focused on cabbage production. However, the venture proved unsuccessful due to market oversupply, resulting in significant financial losses.
' We planted many hectares of cabbage but only managed to sell three hectares, I nearly gave up on farming,' he said.
Despite the setback, he remained committed to agriculture and diversified into crops such as butternut squash and onions, gradually rebuilding the business.
A breakthrough came when the farm identified a major gap in Botswana's agricultural market. At the time, there were very few large-scale carrot producers capable of supplying retailers consistently throughout the year. Recognising the opportunity, Lucerne Fields benchmarked production practices in South Africa before launching commercial carrot production around 2010 and 2011.
The decision transformed the business. By producing carrots on a commercial scale, Lucerne Fields reduced the country's reliance on imported produce whilst ensuring a stable supply of fresh vegetables to consumers. The farm rapidly established itself as a trusted supplier, providing carrots and beetroot to retailers across Botswana.
'We are grateful that govenrment has managed to close borders for us,'
Today, Lucerne Fields produces more carrots than the local market can absorb. The farm plants more than one million carrots per hectare and has built a production system capable of meeting future increases in domestic demand.
'The entire operation was designed from the beginning so that we can double production when local consumption increases,' he said.
Investment in modern technology has played a crucial role in maintaining quality and reducing losses. Faced with challenges such as high temperatures, floods, and post-harvest spoilage, the farm installed cold rooms and hydro-cooling systems to extend the shelf life of carrots and preserve product quality. A climate-controlled packhouse was also introduced to ensure produce remains fresh throughout the handling process.
These innovations have helped Lucerne Fields supply high-quality carrots to the market whilst minimising waste and improving efficiency. The farm's success highlights the importance of local production in achieving national food security goals. By supplying retailers and informal traders across the country, Lucerne Fields ensures consumers have access to locally grown vegetables whilst reducing the need for imports. With Botswana's population relatively small compared to its production capacity, the company has also turned its attention to regional markets. The farm currently exports approximately 300,000 carrots per month to Zambia and is exploring additional opportunities in Namibia and Angola.