Africa-Press – Lesotho. In a bid to fight against hunger as well as unemployment in the country Monyamane Veg Production advanced their family Agribusiness to the higher level.
As revealed by Monyamane Veg Production Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Manager Bokang Monyamane, the farm is a family owned business comprising of his parents – ‘Mabokang
and Motlatsi Monyamane – who work as Field Supervisors and Coordinators, his brother – Khotso Monyamane – who plays part in branding and images management and
lastly his wife ‘Mabahlakoana Monyamane who takes part in financing, administrating and content creation. The CEO says the farm was established in 2018
while he was away with school and they later decided as a family to invest in it. He says to begin with, they had to find sponsors. “We were very lucky to
get Smallholder Agriculture Development Programme (SADP), we were privileged to get our business constructed and established physically not only document wise,”
he shared. Monyamane further said the proper construction began in mid-2019 in Morija Letlapeng where the farm is, in their backyard. He said they had to buy
half of their neighbour’s property to extend since the tunnel in which they produce crops is a 30 by 60 huge. Speaking on the progress and growth of the business, he revealed also to Informative Newspaper
that they have 14 inches of land aside where they produce crops and greens. “We have supplied lettuce, green papers and tomatoes, we have been very consistence
in producing and providing to customers being, local stores, restaurants, hotels, lodges, garages as well as individuals,” he stated. He added they have
one permanent worker and five-part time workers who come only when there is a specific duty like harvesting and weeding. Monyamane enlightened that the aim of their farm is to build an Agribusiness that will produce high value
crops to ensure food security in the country. “Looking at the current situation, the border gates are closed, we have come to our senses to realise that Basotho have always been a consuming country not a producing country yet
we have so much abundance of land, the land my generation have inherited is not being used in full capacity. Lesotho’s population is small in proportion to its
land, that is, we can be the country that produces for other countries. Our other aim aligns with our slogan ‘Our Food Your Medicine’,” he said. He said the business thus
far is going according to plan and they receive positive and motivating feedback from their clients. He revealed that they also partnered with other people in
Morija community in the very large project called Block Farming, forming part of the five prominent families (Tholoane, Sojane Maphathe and Moshulungo
Monyamane). “Together we produce maize, beans and potatoes, at a large scale, these produce is mostly expected to be produced by government this is why we
came together with the aim of ensuring food security in our country”. He extended that he has always had the love for farming which goes back to when he was a child and his
grandmother was good with plants, he added that they did farming at a small scale, planted crops in the garden though they sold to local primary schools
and the community. Monyamane stated that he has a big dream for their Agribusiness. “The first thing that goes in my head is go big or go home, because the initial plan
is to have a proper vision and a mission to follow until you cannot breathe any more. Generational wealth, my daughter or son should have a certain understanding and a share in the Agribusiness whether they go into other sectors but have a little segment in farming they should be able carry on the brand which is the Monyamane Veg Production,” he stated.
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