22 Jul 2021

North West district youth officer in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Pelontle Seabe is optimistic that horticulture could thrive in the district.

Speaking in an interview recently, she encouraged aspiring young entrepreneurs to diversify the scope of business in the region by venturing into horticulture, as statistics had shown that the uptake of horticultural business was low.

To assist, Ms Seabe recently organised a five-day workshop in Gumare for the few who wanted to try horticulture under the Youth Development Fund.

The objective of the workshop, she said was to equip aspiring entrepreneurs from the villages of Habu to Sepopa with the right tools to fill YDF forms as this had in the past proved problematic challenge to many.

“Our little research has shown that many people have difficulty with YDF forms when applying, hence the workshop. I am hopeful that all who attended will succeed in the funding,” she said.

Ms Seabe also highlighted that upon successful funding, an arrangement would be made for the entrepreneurs to go for inductrial attachments at well-established gardens.

She also noted that the youth were advised on what variety or type of vegetables to cultivate in the region for better yield. One of the aspirants, Mr Onaleene Nkape from Sepopa said upon successful funding, he would like to grow tomatoes, peppers and butternuts.

He commended Ms Seabe for the workshop, noting that he had learnt things such as production plan and cash flow among others, the skills he said would help him properly manage his business.

Ms Atsenye Ellias of Gumare said the workshop was beneficial to her as she learnt a lot on production, from step one until the final product.

She said if done right, horticultural business could be lucrative and help alleviate high unemployment rate in the district.

Another aspiring young businessman, Mr Mminakgomo Ramojadife said his interest in horticulture was ignited by his upbringing as his parents had a backyard garden. ENDS