Tsoo farm looks beyond the national market
Local vegetable producer, Tsoo 13 farm, which is currently producing tomatoes and supplies to Shoprite and will soon supply Woolworths, is now targeting the export market. The farm produces 24 tons of tomatoes monthly from a one and half hactare plot, using the soil- less hydroponics farming model.
Speaking during the official launch of the farm on Tuesday, Tsoo 13 Director, Sonny Mokgadi said they planted on September and started harvesting in December 2020. “We are using the nature positive farming and we continuously strive to find ways to work efficiently by getting the most out of the land whilst impacting it as little as possible.” With the technical assistance from Local Enterprise Authority ( LEA), the company leverages on science based innovation and technology to consistently produce A grade tomatoes and supplies the market throughout the year. “The first retail shop we approached is Shoprite and they were emphasising on quality and we delivered the best A- Grade tomatoes. To date our tomatoes are sold in all villages where Shoprite is operating and just recently, we have been signed by Woolworths. They came to our farm and tested everything and checked the hygiene in the farm and so many other things. We passed the test. We are well capable to supply to the international market”. He pointed out that funding still remains a challenge in Botswana. “If financial institutions can look beyond material assets as a qualification for funding, we can achieve our goal of food sustainability. We are limited by lack of funds to increase our production,” said Mokgadi.
LEA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Racious Moatshe said the authority is committed to help Batswana to establish resilient and competitive enterprises and to promote adoption of modern technology as well as facilitating market access for local brands.
He highlighted that the agriculture sector has proved to be a significant contributor to the GDP the world over.
According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD), the average African farm performs at only about 40 percent of its potential.
“And on present trends, the continent will only produce 13percent of its food needs by 2050. Yet African agriculture also has the greatest promise: a growing population, vibrant markets and half the world’s uncultivated arable land. Further, the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA), which is a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 promises a huge market access opportunity that cannot be overlooked,” said Dr Moatshe.
However, the local tomato production sector, market studies estimates the demand of tomato at 12 000 tons per month in Botswana but local productivity ranges from 60- 100 tons per hectare, depending on the variety and related production conditions.
Dr Moatshe pointed out that it has been established locally that horticultural produce only meets approximately 40 percent demand, creating approximately 60 percent supply deficit.
“The supply gap and sluggish growth is attributed to the shortness of the growing season and erratic weather conditions in Botswana as well as climate change.”
Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Molebatsi Molebatsi encouraged Tsoo 13 farm to expand further to supply additional markets including the neighbouring countries.
“Also start conversations around vegetable processing and value addition to the primary commodities. There is a huge opportunity to tap into other value chain activities using the already available raw materials.”