Ripe tomatoes, crisp cabbages, pungent onions, sweet butternuts and juicy watermelons spill onto the market floor, signalling the start of another trading day. This pre-dawn hustle embodies local term “Vuka u zezele” the early riser gets the best catch. In this competitive marketplace, arriving late often means missing out on the freshest produce.
Among the familiar faces is Mr Johannes Chikwama, a black Boer farmer whose presence commands quiet respect. Rugged and sturdy, dressed in khaki overalls, a wide-brimmed hat and heavy-duty boots, he looks every bit the traditional farmer — a reflection of years spent working the land. A dedicated horticultural farmer from Ditladi village, east of Tonota, Mr Chikwama arrives at the market unfailingly at 0300hrs, seven days a week.
“I arrive at exactly 0300hrs from Monday to Sunday,” he said, underscoring the discipline required in commercial farming. Tomatoes form the backbone of his production, but his farming portfolio extends far beyond. Across six farms, Mr Chikwama cultivates English watermelons, cabbages, onions and other crops, a remarkable achievement in Botswana’s semi-arid climate, further challenged by climate change and recurring droughts.
Read Full Article on Daily News Botswana
[paywall]
Yet he remains unwaveringly optimistic. “Everything is possible. Money is in the soil,” he said.
His farming operation spans three farms in Ditladi, one in Gulushabe (Tonota), one in the North East District and two in Boteti, with produce reaching markets as far as Kasane. The Ditladi farms draw irrigation from the Shashe River, while the Boteti farms are electrified and supplemented by solar systems, significantly reducing production costs. “Horticulture is all about irrigation,” he said.
“You cannot rely on rain-fed farming. Crops need water 24/7.” He takes pride in selecting crop varieties suited to Botswana’s conditions, including SV 4126 tomatoes, Star 3301 cabbage and Tiger watermelons. While horticulture demands heavy investment, he believes the returns justify the risk. “The business is expensive, but the returns are quick and good,” he noted.
[/paywall]
