By Matṧeliso Phulane
In a bid to help fight unemployment in the country, Makhaola Theko has ventured into a fruit and vegetable preservation and drying business.
He dries a variety of peaches, apples, grapes, pumpkin as well as wild indigenous vegetables.
Theko’s business started in 2006. It was triggered by a massive waste of his fruits and vegetables as he attempted to use the traditional method of relying on sunlight to dry them. That was before he could afford a real drying machine.
The old method posed challenges such as inclement weather, which would see his products spoiled by rainfall and other elements of weather.
Theko old us during a visit to his business, Mesikong Farmers Pty (Ltd), at Nazareth some 20kms outside Maseru, that it is important to preserve food. This increases their shelf-life and ensures constant availability of a variety of seasonal foods all year-round.
He uses his cooler machine which acts like a freezer to store fruits such as peaches to prevent them from getting rotten before the process.
His drying machine is operated at 60 percent maximum temperature for 15 hours for the fruits and vegetables to be blown and dry thoroughly while placed on the shelves. He said that is to protect them from being moist.
Theko said he gets fruits from the trees he planted. Apart from that, the wild indigenous vegetables are from people who get them from the fields for selling.
He said the wild vegetables such as stingy needles have health benefits such as good nutritious and can be used for herbal remedies.
“The reason why I have decided to preserve vegetables as well is that production should be continuous throughout the year. I have urged people willing to sell wild vegetables to bring them so that I can buy. The aim is to assist Basotho to earn their living.
“I have also decided to dry seeds for peaches and pumpkin for people who are interested to grow them,” he stated.
Theko indicated that some of the challenges he encounters in his business include shortage of fruits like peaches as they are seasonal and that means there is no supply in the market after that term.
But that cannot stop him from running his business. He is now considering importing fruits such as apples for preservation.
Theko decried harsh weather conditions like hailstorms which decrease production as fruits tend to rot. He is also planning to find ways to protect trees.
Curently, he has four employees who help with washing the products, peeling and cutting.
The businessman was forced to reduce the number of staff as there was an abundance of production but with limited shelves for storage.
He said the aim is to produce quality products enjoyed by the customers at end of the day.
Theko is doing well as he is able to make M1 000 to M2 000 in a day especially on dried peaches which are a hit with customers.
Aged 71, Theko was born and bred in Fobane in Leribe district and later moved to Nazareth in Maseru where he stays.
He holds a diploma in Human Resources from the Institute of Personal Management in South Africa. He used to be the mineworker and after completing his studies in 2000 he came back home to become a farmer.
Theko urged Basotho to plant more trees in order for more fruits to be preserved, with a view to export to other countries.
His plan is also to till more land for agricultural purposes and buy more machines for fruit processing. This will create employment for more locals.
He can be contacted on +266-51822666 or+ 266-63602020.
