By Neo Kolane
Voting kicked off this this week for the much loved and eagerly anticipated third instalment of the annual Farmers Pitso Awards, which will be held in August.
The Farmers Pitso Awards were first held in 2018 and are intended to award and recognise the excellence and hard of Basotho farmers.
The founder and organiser of the awards, Thabiso Matšoele explained that the motivation behind the awards is all about relevance.
Matšoele noted that, with every industry celebrating its own, it is only befitting that the same happens with people involved in farming.
The Agritourism farmer pointed out that it is imperative the efforts and hard work of farmers need to be highlighted and celebrated.
“The nomination was done through social media platforms, mainly WhatsApp and Facebook.
“The categories, to mention but a few, are layers and egg production, piggery, vegetable production, mixed farming, goat milk production and cattle production.
“The awards target all known farmers, as well as ordinary people who demonstrate both commitment and excellence in backyard farming,” Matšoele said.
The Monakeli owner emphasised in an interview with theReporter this week that the ultimate goal is to celebrate people who are active in farming, adding that Farmers Pitso mostly focuses on the impact that farmers make, regardless of how small it is.
The Mahobong-born further pointed out that Farmers Pitso acknowledges the importance of farming, which play a crucial role in improving both food security and economic growth.
Matšoele also revealed that almost every contestant is guaranteed to be a winner as they will receive a certificate of appreciation while some walk away with trophies and hampers.
“There are companies that have pledged to give out hampers, farmers companies. Sentinel, Ha foso Hardware, Mineworkers, ‘Mathabo Motaung, Lema Agrivest are some of the companies on board,” Matšoele said.
One of the contestants, Molefi Mofolo who practices rabbit husbandry, says the awards are important as they will uplift and motivate farmers.
He added that the awards will also open the eyes of fellow Basotho who always had second thoughts, to see the importance of farming.
“I just want to network and engage with my peers who are probably way ahead of me and are more experienced.
“I also want to be motivated and learn how to improve rabbitry. I first ventured in the rabbit-raising enterprise in 2020. I would want the country to stop importing meat and produce it in the country.
Thabiso Matšoele can be contacted on 5998 8925
