Africa-Press – Lesotho. Thapelo Mosoeunyane seeks more land for planting various vegetables and medicinal herbs having realised the rapidly growing demand. Mosoeunyane is thefounder of Banareng Landscaping and Decorations which he said was inspired
by his love for farming back in 1996 to 1998 when he was working at the Lesotho Agricultural College supervising students’ projects. “As I looked after their
projects, my love for plants grew bigger, I loved how they handled plants as they nourished them. During the school holidays I did most of the farm work
like weeding and watering and therefore imagined myself having the same farm of my own on a greater scale,” he explained. He extended that in 1998 he had to leave his job
because of political instability and opted for other outside jobs. Then in 2006 he started his own farm at Khubetsoana Sekhutloaneng. He produced vegetables on
a small scale but the business was doing well, he added that he had to extend the tunnel in other to be a sustainable producer and supplier. “I produce
vegetables such as, lettuce, cucumber, greens paper, green beans, cabbage, pumpkin, sage, coriander, garlics and a whole lot of spices. I also produce
flowers of different types like shrubs and trees as well as herbs like lemon fadema, lavender, paprika, rosemary, fibre, lemongrass, tine and others,” he
stated. Mosoeunyane furthered that demands have increased rapidly particularly for herbs as border gates are closed due to Covid-19, saying Chinese and Indians buy herbs from seedlings to bigger plants in large numbers.
He added that some plants like aloes are highly demanded by Indians and Chinese. He urged local customers to use herbs like rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemon and ginger for colds.
Mosoeunyane said that he has done his research in the highlands whereby he planted garlic, lettuce and parsley. He however noted that people in the mountains do not use those plants,
saying most of them complained of the smell from garlic. He recommended detailed education on plants for a literate society. He further mentioned that his land is insufficient as
he wants to produce on a large scale for customers and conduct trainings for interested candidates who are passionate with farming. The exceptional Farmer
pointed out that irrigation is still a challenge, he said at least if he could have two tunnels, he will be able to produce cucumber for the entire country.
“It is high in demand and most people do not know how to take care of it,” he
observed. He stated that he has groomed over 50 people who now have their own green houses and farms. He pointed that is his greatest achievement and the fact that he has four permanent employees.
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