Woman discovers life in soil

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sweet potato

Unlike most young people his age, Manfu Malefane never thought about running around dropping off his CV at various corporate receptions in search of elusive job opportunities in Lesotho’s sleepy economy.

Instead, Malefane, now in her 30s, wanted to take control of her own destiny. So she struck up a lifelong partnership with the soil.

On the land, she not only controls her own future, but the entire community and many other farmers depend on her.

Her determination to overcome the odds and realize her dream led her to establish Neo Seedlings Company, an agricultural entity operating in Khanyane, Leribe District.

Through her own company, Ms Malefin is now a successful farmer, known for supplying a wide range of vegetables and seedlings to local markets and South African retailers. She also supplies produce to surrounding schools and many street vendors.

In honor of African Women’s Month,lesotho timesAn interview was conducted with Ms. Malefane, a graduate of Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC).

Her story speaks volumes for the belief that the country’s sky-high unemployment rate can only be brought under control if more young people choose to become job creators rather than job seekers.

After sending out resumes to no avail, she decided to become her own boss and become a full-time farmer, working in a business where only those with a tenacious spirit can survive.

Now, she is not only her own boss, but also contributes to the fight against hunger and unemployment by employing many young people in her business and imparting valuable agricultural skills to the community, especially the youth.

She grew up in a family that made a living from farming, and it has always been her dream to succeed in the agricultural field.

However, before finding her footing, she, like her peers, sought jobs in both the public and private sectors, but without success.

Later, when her business was thriving, she chose to join the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition as an extension agent, mainly using the government’s extensive infrastructure to continue imparting his skills to others.

Still, her start in business was not easy.

She started small, producing for subsistence purposes, and slowly expanded to become a large-scale producer, which she did by continually reinvesting in the business and merging land with other farmers to increase acreage.

Today, she is one of the few Basotho women to own a thriving agricultural business, supplying vegetables and seedlings to local and South African markets.

Ms. Malefane is currently in Japan learning new farming techniques for the age of climate change. After returning from a six-month trip to Tokyo, she hopes to share her newfound knowledge with local farmers.

Ms Malefane is one of 11 African contestants at the summit Courses in Japan.

Speaking oflesotho times This week, Ms. Malefane, who is visiting from Japan, said the training covered quality food production techniques, market access, post-harvest handling methods, and agricultural product costs and pricing.

She graduated from LAC in 2010. She searched for a job for a whole year but found nothing. Then she started her own business and started growing seedlings in a small plot of land at her in-laws’ house.Buta ButaBut her little venture failed due to the continued drought that year.

This did not scare her. On the contrary, it inspired her. She figured out ways to grow vegetables in all weather conditions. She also started nurturing seedlings to share with others. In everything Ms Malefane did, her agricultural qualifications came in handy.

She expanded the farm by consolidating small plots of land into a sizable farm. She then used her expertise to produce high-quality greens, tomatoes and peppers that could easily be stocked on the shelves of different retailers. She also established a ready-made market to supply schools withButa-Butaand surrounding communities.

The project was so successful that she continued to work with some community members to expand the production area.

While the project brings her a satisfactory income, Ms. Malefane said it is also her way of sharing knowledge with the community and helping community members solve the problem of food and clothing instead of letting them be satisfied with the status quo and complain about unemployment.

Working with community members helps them grow not only as farmers but also as entrepreneurs with the skills to run viable businesses.

She has since integrated her business under the Neo Seedlings Company banner.

Ms. Malefane said she made more money than she expected thanks to the lucrative income from her farming business, but like other businesspeople, she declined to reveal specific figures.

“I earn a civil servant’s monthly salary in just one week,” she said with a smile.

“Farming has not only become my way of life, but also my way of empowering young people. Many people come to my house seeking guidance on how to succeed in farming.”

This is even more important because it means more and more people can create jobs for themselves.

However, she points out that like other farmers, she has experienced bad days, mainly due to the erratic weather, which explains why agricultural techniques that adapt to climate change have become imperative.

Her farming prowess and ability to share her knowledge did not go unnoticed.

Her efforts were noticed by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Department under the Ministry of Trade, which subsequently provided her with farming tools, including a sunshade to protect her vegetables from the elements.

“Now I don’t have to worry about the quality of the product,” Ms. Malefin said.

Her passion for farming means she always overlooks obstacles in the pursuit of a higher price.

She believes that in five years, she will be one of the outstanding female farmers in Lesotho and expand her business into poultry and dairy products.

Happily married with two children, her enthusiasm has rubbed off on her family, who now, she says, “see life in the soil.”

“Part of my motivation is to join hands with my husband to achieve certain goals, including securing our children’s future and legacy,” she said.

She is also inspired by helping young people in Lesotho create jobs using their own hands.

She concluded: “Being able to change your life for the better is priceless.”