Mmaditapana Farm has survived years of drought and famine to grow into a larger farmstead with a recreational garden. The owner of Mmaditapana, Wesson Manchwe, says his has always been about passion.
He started Mmaditapana Farm 20 years ago in Machaneng. Manchwe says although it has not been easy, he has managed to develop his farm where he ploughs mainly vegetables, grains and fruits. The vegetables include spinach, rape, beetroot, cabbage and onions while the fruits are oranges and watermelons. Maize is the only grain on Mmaditapana. Manchwe ploughs according to the seasons and sells maily to small and medium enterprises.
But like all businesses, the farm has felt the effects of COVID-19 but has survived. After conducting a market survey, Manchwe says he saw the potential of farming and created a recreational garden that hosts events for individuals, families and businesses. He also plants and grows trees for sale in the recreational garden. “This is a place to come to relax, have fun and spend time with loved ones,” Manchwe says. “The fresh greenery around enhances relaxation.”
Cabbages have been performing, although a recent surge in farming in the area has affected Mmaditapana. Manchwe says they recently had to throw away a lot of cabbages, resulting in considerable loss. Oranges have done well and the farm and the flow of customers, some from as far as Molepolole, continues uninterrupted.
Manchwe says because the backbone of every business is finance, he approached the National Development Bank (NDB) in 2020 for a loan to buy machinery. The process was fairly straightforward and soon enough he purchased and installed an engine that pumps water, as well as tractors and other farm equipment.
