23 Nov 2020

The level of enthusiasm displayed by young citizen farmers is impressive, says Minister of Agriculture Development and Food Security, Mr Karabo Gare. 

Speaking yesterday in an interview at the venue for this week’s cabinet meeting, Oppi-Daan Farm near Malotwana in Kgatleng District, Minister Gare praised owners Mr Rapula Otukile and his wife, Goabaone for their enthusiasm and dedication. 

The couple persevered  in the face of  challenges such as the frost experienced in May which destroyed their entire green pepper crop. 

“Had it not for their perseverance, they would have given up,” he said.

He encouraged them to use government empowerment schemes to improve their products. 

The minister pointed out that government had enhanced ISPAAD and raised the ceiling to P300 000, with beneficiaries only paying half the loan amount. 

Further, he said through the Industry Support Fund, the National Development Bank (NDB) was offering interest free loans. 

Minister Gare encouraged the couple to continue expanding saying given the high yield of their borehole, they could develop an orchard. 

He called upon the youth to emulate the successful entrepreneurs.

The minister said plans were afoot to link new farmers with established ones for mentorship. 

Oppi-Daan Farm, an integrated  facility, is into small stock production and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and green pepper,  its core product. 

Mr Otukile said he started the farm in 2012 using only one hectare to produce butternut and spinach. 

In 2017, the couple decided to go commercial and diversified into green pepper production for which they managed to secure a market at Mr Veg.

Mr Otukile said this was an advantage as they had to produce a quality product to meet market demand. 

Prior to commercialising, the couple undertook to raise their standards to the level of the best farms which meant providing accommodation for employees, building ablution facilities and ensuring proper waste disposal, he explained. 

In addition, they expanded the farm to four hectares.

Mr Otukile said profits had been re-invested in the development of the farm. 

For her part, Ms Otukile said research on new products and market had paid dividends as their income had been properly used. 

She advised people to start by financing their farming projects before borrowing as the sector had many challenges.

Mr Otukile is an all rounder who quit his job to first start a pharmacy in Pilane. 

With the profits, he ventured into commercial farming and has now expanded to logistics. 

The 2018 YALI fellow works closely with the US embassy on numerous leadership projects and has managed to get an executive MBA with them.

He applies the skills and knowledge he has acquired in his businesses. Ends