YOUNG FARMER MAKES BRISK BUSINESS IN HORTICULTURE

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday June 30, 2014 07:00

“The country should be self-sufficient in food production otherwise it will be prone to external problems that happen in other countries,” says Mosojane.

He told the BusinessMonitor that contrary to perceptions from some sections of the society, farming is a lucrative business and not a vocation exclusive to senior citizens only.

“I am involved in horticulture. I plough tomatoes, mealies, spinach, rape, green pepper and butternuts. I was motivated by the love of farming to venture into this industry. 

“I was inspired by my aunt who is a farmer to venture into farming. I used to visit her farm when schools were closed when I was growing up,” says Mosojane whose three-hectare farm is situated at Mosojane village in the North East District along Tati River.

He uses water from the river to water his plants.

Mosojane says farming is no child’s play as it needs people who are motivated and dedicated.

Mosojane says the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) financed him in 2010.

Asked about the strategy he employs to withstand competition from his competitors, Mosojane says he produces quality goods.

“If you produce quality products people will flock to you. I also have a greenhouse or net shade where I plant some of my crops that other farmers do not do have,” says Mosojane.

Mosojane says although he appreciates the help government gives to farmers especially young ones through agriculture related  programmes, government is not doing enough to help them find markets for their products.

He adds that even the money that government is giving to farmers is not enough to buy all necessary farm implements because some farm tools like tractors are very expensive.

Mosojane says he attended a Horticulture course at Impala Rural Training Centre in Francistown to augment his agricultural skills.

“I also got business mentoring from the Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) where I learnt business marketing, pricing, promotion of goods and other business related skills,” says Mosojane who currently employs three people at his farm.

His advise to fellow young farmers is to save and use money wisely if they want to succeed in this dog-eat-dog industry of farming. 

“They should save what they have for lean times in future because you may encounter some challenging situations. You should be financially prepared for those problems,” he says.

Mosojane says his customers are vegetable vendors in his North East District, Francistown and individuals in both his home village and neighbouring villages.