02 Aug 2022

Mr Othusitswe Kenalemang, a chef cum horticultural farmer based in Samochima is an epitome of perseverance.

As a chef, Mr Kenalemang picked early on that trading with food one could never go wrong, a realisation that resulted in him hanging up his apron in 2012 to venture into agriculture.

Now the owner of Ajaka Farm, he produces mainly cabbage, tomatoes, butternut and water melon, which he plants on rotational basis as seasonal crops.

Mr Kenalemang was lucky enough to be assisted through the Youth Development Fund in 2013, which catapulted his produce.

However, shortage of water where his farm was then located became a hindrance as he relied on a pan that later dried up.

Not the one to give up when the going gets tough, he drilled a borehole, which unfortunately did not address the water challenge and forced him to ceased operation in 2016, trace his steps back to his previous trade and found employment at a lodge in Gumare.

Mr Kenalemang did not last in the kitchen, perhaps because farming was what made him tick.

In 2019, he was back in Samochima, farming and luck located him the following year as he was among the six selected horticulture farmers in the Shakawe area to be assisted by Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) with farm equipment and empowered with smart farming techniques in record keeping, management plan and cropping plans.

He is now doing well and has employed five farm workers. 

His advice to those interested in farming is that homework is important.

“People who venture into farming should do research about water availability, soil fertility and gain skills.

He said gone were the days when anyone inexperienced in farming could go into farming and prosper.

Farmers, he said, should set targets, draw budgets before planting some crops and identify markets for the same crop well in advance.

“Market is available, the challenge is that in most cases farmers plant certain crops at a wrong time when the market is saturated with the same,” he said.

Farming, he said, required commitment and resources, especially specialised equipment, which were unfortunately expensive.

He wished that government would assist farmers by availing some equipment even if it was for hire.

Regarding the import ban on some crops, Mr Kenalemang said it was an important move,  but said the challenge was that it was announced on a short notice when most farmers were not prepared to fill the gap.

Should the ban prolong, Mr Kenalemang said farmers would come to the party. Ends