18 Sep 2022

Imela Farms Cooperative at Samedupi has been praised for its outstanding business model, proving that effective teamwork yields good results.

Imela farms Cooperative was formed in 2017 by 11 young Batswana who were subsequently funded through Youth Development Fund (YDF) in 2021 for a piggery project and hydroponic farming.

Minister of Entrepreneurship Mr Karabo Gare commended them during his tour to the farm on Saturday.

However, he said there was need to assess projects individually when funding, depending on their structure and impact which included costs for mobilisation.

He said projects varied in logistics costs, giving an example with Imela Farms noting that their farming technique was unique as crops do not come in contact with soil and they used rotational irrigation system where same water circulated around in pipes.

The minister stated that Imela farms project required sufficient water circulation, building of tunnels and electrification of the farm, which was very expensive.

Mr Gare further highlighted that a farmer in Kgalagadi or elsewhere did not encounter the same challenges as one in Ngamiland adding that water, land and grazeland availability varied from one place to the other.

The minister emphasised the need for collaborations within government ministries so that businesses and projects would run seamlessly.

Mr Gare stated said with the ban of importation of vegetables, Batswana proved to be capable of supplying local market.   

“With what we have seen so far pertaining to supply of vegetables, Batswana are very capable, it depends on us as Batswana if we want to stand up and produce our own food.”

Imela Farms Cooperative member Ms Gosegomang Chombo stated that the cooperative operations commenced with them buying land, commissioning a borehole, and buying material for tunnels where the crops were imbedded.

She further stated that they were funded at tune of P700 000 with their core project being piggery farm, which was however seized due to COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in lack of market in the hospitality industry.

She said in December 2021 they planted, for the first time, lettuce and cucumber however noting that they did not make profits due to saline water from their borehole.

Ms Chombo said their future plans were to tap into horticultural business and also produce herbs.

She said this year they harvested lettuce and cucumber after sourcing water from water companies.

She said they supplied different retailers in Maun, adding that Imela Farms was listed in many retail databases for supply of fresh produce. Ends