Tebogo Nyathela, a 47-year-old entrepreneur from Kgomo-Kgomo in the Northwest Province, is working to create economic opportunities while contributing to food production in his community through vegetable farming and value-added food production.
Nyathela is the founder and CEO of Farmers Hope (Pty) Ltd, an agricultural and agro-processing business established in 2016. Farmers Hope produces a range of vegetables, including spinach, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes.
The business also processes some of its fresh produce under its Sakoko brand into products such as spinach powder, dehydrated vegetables, beetroot powder and pickled products.
Nyathela said her late father, Tsholofelo Moropa, who was a cattle farmer, played an important role in inspiring her entrepreneurial journey.
“I had a passion to donate fresh vegetables to distressed communities and hence the motivation,” Nyathela said.
While the business began with vegetable production, Nyathela identified an opportunity to go beyond selling fresh produce by adding value to crops that could otherwise go to waste.
“A lot of fresh produce can go to waste when it is not sold on time, so I started looking at ways of adding value to the produce,” she said.
The company’s operations begin with land preparation, planting and crop maintenance before harvesting.
Once harvested, the vegetables are sorted and prepared for different markets. Some are sold fresh, while others are processed, packaged and prepared for customers.
Farmers Hope sells to individuals, markets, retailers and other buyers and is working towards expanding its market beyond South Africa.
Nyathela said the business was initially financed through her own funds, with money reinvested into the operation as it grew.
It later received support through various programmes and partnerships.
Currently, the company’s major expenses include water, electricity, labour, farming inputs, packaging, transport and the maintenance of equipment and infrastructure.
Nyathela said water remains one of the biggest challenges faced by the business.
“Farming depends heavily on water, and when there is not enough water, production is affected,” she said.
To deal with the challenge, Farmers Hope has invested in water infrastructure and improved its management of available resources.
The business currently employs about 14 people from the surrounding community and also provides young people and students with opportunities to gain practical agricultural experience.
Nyathela said Farmers Hope’s focus on both farming and agro-processing gives the business an advantage by allowing it to participate across the agricultural value chain.
Through its Sakoko brand, the company can extend the shelf life of some of its produce while reducing waste and creating additional products for the market.
Over the next three to five years, Nyathela wants Farmers Hope to grow into a larger agricultural and agro-processing business, with Sakoko products stocked in more stores across South Africa and eventually reaching international markets.
The company also aims to increase production, create more jobs and expand opportunities for young people and women in agriculture. To achieve these goals, Nyathela said investment in processing technology, working capital and market access will be crucial.
