By Tṧeliso Tṧosane
Driven by the desire of modernising agriculture, the founder of Mehloli Agri-tourism farm ‘Majeriele Pheko has ventured into classical farm that diversify agriculture into being great source of tourism attraction.
The farm produces different exotic fruit trees such as strawberry and gooseberries from which she produces jam. And, currently she is on a verge of expanding her production after having good harvest from gooseberry which she tried to plant to test if gooseberry can actually grow in our country.
Fortunately, it successfully grew well rather than exporting it from Cape Town South Africa where it originates from here in a southern Africa.
In an interview with theReporter, the 44 year-old farmer said gooseberry is an expensive sweet fruit which has an impressive health benefits. It contains dietary fibre which can control sugar level, reduce blood pressure and risk of chronic conditions such as cancer and heart problems.
” My interest in planting exotic fruits came from my observation that many people in our country are only interested in familiar agricultural fruits and as a result they face high competition. Therefore, I wanted to be exceptional and be recognized. I also encourage people who have the above mentioned health problems to eat to maintain good health to themselves” she remarked.
Based in Ha Teko in Maseru, the farmer further said she started her farming activity in 2020 during an uptight lockdown when many people were unable to go to shops at any time due to the curfew restrictions. She therefore jumped into an opportunity of being a reliable producer aiming to supply her community with fresh vegetables through the help of her husband who is a well- established farmer who owns Mehloli Agro business which specializes in designing and creation of green houses to many people.
“My farm is a sister business to Mohloli Agro which is under the supervision of my husband. I decided to start it because I also wanted people to actually see the great work done by my husband at our own business rather than traveling to where worked.” She remarked.
Since the establishment of the small business, she also offers internship programmes to students who study agriculture related courses.
She can be found on mobile phone number +266-5885 5589.
