17 Aug 2015

Dynamic Gardens has become a force to reckon with through the production of quality vegetables that it supplies to restaurants, shops and street vendors in Kweneng District.

The vegetable production business was started by five people following their enrolment in the poverty eradication programme in 2014. 

Under the programme, the five partners were given shade nets, two water tanks and an irrigation drip to kick-start the business. 

In an interview, one of the founders of the business, Mr Isaac Motseothata, 46, of Gakgatla said they ventured into vegetable production to shake off poverty in the area. 

“For many years I tried to venture into poultry production but due to lack of funding, my dream did not materialise, hence I ventured into vegetable farming as I have realised that it has the potential to turn into a lucrative business,” he said.

Mr Motseothata said it was in 2014 when the dream became a reality after jointly forming Dynamics Gardens with Ms Kaone Tsiaka, Ms Kegomoditswe Leririma, Ms Tirelo Selwe and Ms Kelebogile Motseothata. 

Dynamic Gardens produces rape, spinach, carrots, onions, Chinese cabbage, tomatoes and peri-peri.

Quizzed on how he identified the market for their produce, Mr Motseothata said it was not easy because the market was congested when they began. 

But due to the business empowerment workshop, they managed to succeed.

“On the business side, I would say we are doing well as we supply three restaurants, shops and street vendors in Molepolole and Thamaga,” said Mr Motseothata.

He highlighted that through the income from the garden they were able to provide and sustain their families.

Mr Motseothata said although the business was promising, they continue to face challenges such as lack of water and electricity.

“We can go for days without water despite that we have to water the garden almost every day,” said Mr Motseothata. 

To overcome the challenges, said Mr Motseothata, they decided to use a borehole which had not been in use for years. Shortage of diesel, he added, sometimes affects operations. 

With no skills or qualifications on vegetable production, Mr Motseothata said they were grateful for the empowerment workshops which covered business management, marketing and bookkeeping. 

He also commended the Ministry of Agriculture for imparting knowledge to them, adding that they learnt on pests treatment, the use of pesticides and packaging of goods for the market. ENDS