02 Sep 2021

Mr Joseph Murangi, is one of those young farmers who are determined to make it in farming.

The 38-year-old Maun resident owns Modern Way Goat Farm situated along the Ghanzi road where he specialises in rearing small stock. He is determined take his venture to greater heights and is moving away from subsistence to commercial production.

Mr Murangi, who benefited from the Youth Development Fund and the LIMID programme, was also lucky to be amongst farmers who benefited from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’ initiative of donating bucks and rams to promising small stock farmers. He received a pure breed buck last December to improve his stock.

Mr Murangi explained that plans were underway to develop his farm as he had realised that his enterprise could be a rewarding business. He added that he had adopted good animal husbandry practices after losing some of his stock because of poor management and practices.

He plans to divide his farm into paddocks and to build shelters to protect his herd from harsh climatic conditions.

The last  heavy rains in Maun influenced his decision as he lost more than 10 goats, including the donated buck. However, he is happy that before it died it had improved his small stock. 

He said it started mating the day it arrived and that it had more than 30 kids when it died.

Prior to the donation, the young farmer had 38 sheep and 60 goats. 

He said  losing goats did nor discourage him because ‘my dream is to become a successful farmer. Although I had longed to own a buck, I am happy that the dead one had done a good job’.

Mr Murangi noted that the challenges he encountered motivated him to think outside the box and to take his project to another level. He has suspended selling his animals as he wants to have a breeding stock of over 100 goats and sheep.

The passionate farmer has also ventured into other projects to diversify his products. He has secured a piece of land along the Thamalakane River where he practices horticulture and intends to rear pigs and plough maize.

He said integrated farming would reduce costs of feeding his animals as he had a hammer to make fodder from farm waste.

Mr Murangi also revealed that he had secured an ISPAAD grant to boost his horticulture project, but that he had not yet paid his contribution because of financial constraints. However, he has started the project and will be harvesting green pepper and watermelons before end of the month.

On COVID-19, Mr Murangi said it had taught many that agriculture could be a source of employment and wealth. ends