The campaign, which ran from May 2024 to December 2024, concluded with Ananius receiving a fully equipped hydroponic garden worth P160, 000 at the finale held at Green Gem Nursery, Garden Maintenance, and Landscaping. The hydroponic garden, designed to support sustainable farming, includes a 10x10 shade net structure, 10-bucket hydroponic system, seeds, coco peat, nutrients, a Jojo tank, water pump, and a timer. The system can cultivate up to 250 plants and uses nutrient-rich water instead of soil, enabling faster growth and higher yields.
“This win is a blessing and an opportunity to start something meaningful as I approach retirement,” Ananius said. He expressed his intention to use the prize to launch a farming enterprise while collaborating with other farmers interested in hydroponic methods. The Oketsa! Thobo campaign, which translates to “Increase Your Harvest,” aimed to empower Batswana through access to financial solutions while fostering financial literacy and sustainable practices. Customers who secured loans of up to P700, 000 were automatically entered into the competition. Prizes included monthly cash giveaways, a Jojo water tank, a generator and the grand hydroponic garden. Country Manager for Consumer Lending at First Capital Bank, Thatayaone Nicolas Matlapeng, emphasised the campaign’s broader goals. “This was more than just a competition, it was about giving Batswana practical tools to achieve self-sufficiency. “The overwhelming response showed that people resonate with innovative and empowering solutions,” Matlapeng said.
Ananius, who has one year left before retiring, sees this as an opportunity to combine his passion for agriculture with a practical method for ensuring food security. “Hydroponic farming is a sustainable approach, especially in regions where arable land is scarce. I’m grateful to First Capital Bank for making this possible,” he added. According to University of Minnesota Extension, hydroponics is a type of soilless gardening that can be done either indoors or outdoors. It is a great option for people with little or no gardening space, or who want to grow herbs and vegetables through the winter, the university stated.
