The future is green for Nase Produce
One year ago, two friends, Naledi Selebogo and Osego Nelson embarked on an exciting journey. The two friends are the brains behind Nase Produce, a local company that produces quite a number of fresh produces.
The company, located in Oodi, uses Hydroponics to farm and produce an array of lettuce that includes Berenice to mention a few, a variety of herbs, cucumbers, edible flowers, microgreens and baby spinach.
Microgreens are the seedlings and sprouts of vegetables and herbs, and are used primarily as a garnish or an addition to a salad, and so much more. Other products include baby tomatoes, many types of leafy lettuce, and an array of micro greens.
A year into the journey of Nase, the company has enjoyed a few milestones. The business is slowly breaking even, and they have even increased production. The demand for their authentic products is also picking up, with some overwhelming cases here and there.
Looking back at the journey, Selebogo explains that they have signed a number of supply contracts with local restaurants and shops. She also says that right now they are on the verge of signing another exciting contract with one reputable hotel in the city.
“Besides that, we supply The Daily Grind, Two Six Seven and Test Kitchen Restaurants. We also have individuals who support us like Monateng Foods, Foodgirl BW, and a few others,” she says.
She further says that that since last year, their supply per week has increased due to demand in the market.
“This development has forced us to secure more equipment in order to increase production,” she explains.
Quizzed on the unique feature that sets them apart from other companies, she explains that the quality of their products is very high. They pride themselves for using hybrids seeds imported from outside the country. “The overall aim is that we want to be a force to reckon with.
Our products are bought by high quality standards shops who require a certain level of quality and we aim to attain their standards as well as world class restaurants and hotel standards,” she says.
One of the challenges they have faced is the fact that as a year old company, they have to deal with factors such as transport issues, as they transport products that needs to be maintained at a certain condition to maintain their freshness. Other issues include finances, as the business is self- funded, and any decision that requires funds means that they deep into their pockets.
“Currently, our products are only available in Gaborone, but there is a huge potential outside the city which might boosts our sales,” says Selebogo.
“So far the business is self- funded and the vision is to expand the business through financial aid but the requirements of the financial institutions is choking us. This is proving to be a hindrance to our expansion plans,” she adds.
Nase Produce uses hydroponics farming, and their first line of microgreens and lettuce was an instant hit with consumers. The products are also currently available at Super Spars that include Riverwalk, Acacia, Kgale, Airport Junction branches as well as Mr Veg.