Hunter with Farmers at the University of Botswana (August 2024)
A Journey of Vision, Strategy, and Impact
Today January the 31st, marks a significant milestone in my journey as an agriculturist, entrepreneur, and global impact leader, as I celebrate the signing of three international Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that will take my work across the world, along with one groundbreaking national MoU for Botswana. This achievement is a testament to the vision, strategy, and relentless dedication that have shaped my path over the years.
The national MoU is particularly transformative, as it will redefine the role of Farmer’s Pride International (FPI) from being a skills and learning-based agricultural organization into a promoter, funder, and monitoring system for sustainable agriculture in Botswana. This shift will not only accelerate the growth of agribusiness in the country but also create new opportunities for farmers, agripreneurs, and agro-processors.
Reflecting on this journey, I realize that while my Strategic Implementation Matrix had laid out a pathway for success, I never envisioned achieving this on such a grand scale. However, the results speak for themselves—proof that strategy, resilience, and commitment yield extraordinary outcomes.
The Foundation: A Vision for Agriculture in Botswana
When I arrived in Botswana six years ago in 2019, I carried with me a wealth of agricultural knowledge and expertise, a skill set that no one could take away from me. Coming from an agricultural background, I embraced my identity as an agriculturist—part of a culture where agriculture is a way of life.
My first priority upon arriving in Botswana was to develop a five-year national agriculture business plan and strategic framework aimed at transforming agriculture into agribusiness. I laid out an Agriculture-Based Clustering (ABC) strategy, recognizing that smallholder farmers needed a structured system to transition into commercial farming.
However, I was alone in this journey. To build a community, I started by sharing knowledge through digital platforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I launched an online training program via WhatsApp, teaching farmers how to produce their own chicken feeds. From 2019 to 2021, I trained 1,500 people online and charged as little as BWP 0.60 per participant, yet the impact was profound. Each month, I earned an average of BWP 20,000, while equipping farmers with practical skills that helped them cut their chicken feed costs by 50%. Many trainees have successfully launched their own commercial poultry feed production businesses.
This initiative led to my partnership with Comp Star College of Agriculture, where I conducted one-on-one workshops across Botswana. An additional 500 people were trained during this phase, further solidifying my impact in the agricultural sector.
Recognizing the importance of financial literacy and discipline in agribusiness, I expanded my training to include financial education for 500 farmers and non-farmers alike. The ultimate goal was to establish a Village and Microfinance Credit Scheme, but unforeseen circumstances, including the departure of some team members to start their own initiatives, led to a temporary shelving of this plan. Despite these setbacks, I remained steadfast in my mission.
Scaling Up: The Potato Farming Revolution
In February 2022, I embarked on an ambitious project—bag potato farming, which later became a game-changer in Botswana’s agricultural landscape. Over time, I trained:
- 4,000 farmers in Botswana
- 300 in Zambia and Malawi
- 100 in South Africa
- 50 in Zimbabwe
- 20 in Namibia
By 2023, we phased out bag potato farming and transitioned farmers into commercial ground potato farming, introducing value addition to the process. The results were phenomenal, with many farmers moving towards full-scale commercial production and exploring processing opportunities.
Between March and June 2024, I traveled to Uganda, where I trained 3,000 women farmers in potato farming and processing. This initiative empowered hundreds of women to launch potato crisp production businesses, with some even venturing into commercial operations. One of my trainees, a university student, is now sustaining his education through his potato crisp business and has already applied for trade licenses to expand further.
Today, as I write this, I am shifting my focus from potato farming in Botswana after successfully training 7,000 farmers. This marks a pivotal moment—the birth of a new era for Farmer’s Pride International and Botswana’s agriculture sector.
The Next Big Opportunity: Moringa Farming and
Value Addition
With a solid foundation in place, we are now shifting towards moringa farming and processing, a venture with high global value and demand. Moringa is known for its medicinal, nutritional, and industrial applications, and we are now securing international markets. Our first export order is being made ready to be on its way to Germany in 6 months, signifying Botswana’s entry into the global moringa trade.
The Global Value of Moringa and Its Byproducts
- Moringa Leaves Powder: Used in pharmaceuticals, health supplements, and the food industry.
- Moringa Oil: Highly valued in cosmetics, skincare, and aromatherapy.
- Moringa Seeds: Used for water purification, reforestation, and oil extraction.
- Moringa Tea: A growing segment in the health and wellness industry.
- Moringa-Based Animal Feed: Rich in nutrients, improving livestock health and productivity.
This transition will place Botswana on the global map for potato and moringa farming, processing, and exports, creating employment, wealth, and sustainable agricultural systems.
Building a Global Kingdom: Impact Through Agriculture
Last night, my business partner, the Deputy President and CEO of Farmer’s Pride International, Kevin Wilson, an American Economist and I had a fruitful meeting with Mateo, a visionary Christian leader from the USA-based organization, Kingdom Impact. Over the past few months ago, I introduced Mateo to my business partner, and together, they have been strategizing for a global agricultural movement that aligns agriculture with Christian leadership and community transformation.
This collaboration will see my teams and me traveling across the world to impact the lives of Christian leaders and their congregations through agriculture.
Please take note that Agriculture is a game changer—not just a way of life, but a wealth-building sector that can transform communities and economies.
The Power of Agriculture-Based Clustering (ABC)
We are now entering the phase where the real Agriculture-Based Clustering (ABC)— will be brought to life, this is a system that connects farmers, processors, investors, and financial institutions to create a sustainable agricultural economy.
ABC fosters:
- Backward Linkages: Ensuring farmers have access to inputs, machinery, and support services.
- Forward Linkages: Creating market access, value addition, and export opportunities.
This model will unite 7,000 potato farmers, chicken feed producers, and moringa growers into a powerful force that can leverage economies of scale and collective bargaining power.
A New Era for Botswana’s Agriculture Sector
Agriculture is finally being recognized as a serious business in Botswana, and we are entering a new stage where agribusiness is taking center stage. This transformation has been further reinforced by our growing presence on Botswana’s national television, social media, and key agricultural platforms.
With the right structures in place, we are now coordinating the chicken feed manufacturers, 7,000 potato farmers, and moringa growers into an integrated, self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem. This is just the beginning—together, we are building a resilient, profitable, and globally competitive agricultural sector.
Agriculture is not just a way of life; it is the future of wealth creation and global transformation!
I can now proudly say I am transforming the Farmer’s Pride International into a Global Agricultural Force.
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