20 Dec 2022

Shakawe-born Mr Mothare Mohembo is among a few who have left the white collar jobs to pursue farming.

The 43-year-old Mr Mohembo, who owns Samatambi farm at Samochima, about 10 kilometres from Shakawe, produces strawberries at his farm.

He started his farming journey in 2016, a few years after he quit his job at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).

Luck was on his side since his parents gifted him their unused ploughing field. His dream was fast manifesting into reality and he immediately changed the ploughing field into an integrated farm. He connected pipes to draw water to the farm, which was not an easy task since the water source was a distance away.

Mr Mohembo started off growing various vegetables such as spinach, then later added green grass, strawberry and others.

“It was not a smooth path, there were times when I could go for about three months without any income, but quitting was never an option,” he said. In 2018, he got to know about strawberry production from a nearby farmer.

He ultimately developed an interest to plant strawberries since in their area because everyone was into vegetables.

What started as 14 strawberry seedlings from the good neighbour birthed Samatambi farm, renowned for delicious strawberries in the Okavango region.

Having carved a niche in strawberries, Mr Mohembo increased production in 2020.

He sells mostly to tourists found in the Shakawe and surrounding areas as well as locals.

He also supplies one of the retail shops in Shakawe and is contemplating expanding his market base to far-flung cities and villages across the country and beyond. Value chain addition to strawberry products is another area that is on the cards for the budding farmer.

As a way of marketing, Samatambi farm invites members of the community for strawberry picking day to fill strawberry punnets for free whenever they are ripe. He says farming requires hard work and commitment for one to excel in it.

“Farming needs passion and one should not give up regardless of challenges. You may give up at a turning point,” he said.

Mr Mohembo is hopeful that a day when he will acquire an advanced irrigation system and inputs to produce at a larger scale will arrive soon through government intervention.

He has currently employed four permanent employees and six casual labourers and his desire is to create employment for more people. Samatambi integrated farm has incorporated the rearing of goats and also has a facility to host an array of activities such as weddings, workshops and parties. ENDS