10 Aug 2022

Despite growing up in family that believed in farming Ms Annah Vissagie had little interest in that way of life, until in recent years when she realised that farming could be her way out of poverty.

The 42-year old Takatokwane woman is committed and determined to excel through farming.

Amidst her little interest in the trade, she always knew it had potential, hence seeing it as an option to survive.  

Such as any business her journey has not been an easy one.

Some years back Ms Vissagie had the opportunity to benefit from the Financial Assistance Policy, and was she lost all her animals solely because she could not take care for them, because she was working in Jwaneng.

She wanted to earn a living through being employed but got to realise that employment was not meant for her.

“I took a decision one day and told my family that I want to be a farm girl and take care of my animals.

The budding farmer said the decision came with her having to stay at the farm commonly known as the cattle post and since then she has never looked back.

She said farming required passion and committment to realise the desired results and was adamant that nothing was impossible if one believed and knew what they wanted for their dreams.

In 2013 she was favoured to receive funding from Youth Development Fund to a tune of P37 878 which gave her an advantage to increase her herd.

“I have never looked back since I was funded by the YDF and to me the funding was a stepping stone to my dream”.

She added that the small stock bore her many fruits and today she has her own home.

Last year she was among the many Batswana farmers who benefited from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s initiative of empowering small stock farmers to improve their breed and increase production.

Receiving the buck last year May, brought her joy as she knew the meaning of such a special breed.

“There are many small stock farmers in our area, and to have been chosen among others, means people have seen your commitment and zeal in what you are doing”.

The buck had been a blessing to her animals with admirable quality off springs.

She has taken care of the buck from day one especially knowing that it was coming from a different environment and needed to adapt to the new one.

“I ensure that it’s vaccinated and avail any other medicine needed to keep it healthy and strong for it to perform as expected.” She said she was happy with what she was seeing in her kraal given the quality of the young ones.

Ms Vissagie further said she was still expecting a lot from the buck and hoped to raise more bucks from the young ones and sell to others so they could also improve their breed. ENDS