THREE groups of commercial fruit farmers in Mahobong and Likhetlane have started reaping the rewards of their hard work.
Likhotola, Maoa Mafubelu and Likhetlane fruit farms have achieved their biggest red apple harvest this year.
Nthako Supu, who currently manages the three farmers, attributes the bumper harvest to good rains and improved farming methods.
“This is the best we have achieved since the farms started,” Supu says.
The farms were started with the financial support and expert guidance from the government’s Private Sector Competitive and Economic Diversification Project (PSCEDP) which is funded by the World Bank.
The farms are part of the government’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of rural communities by helping them venture into commercial agriculture.
Situated in Mahobong, Likhotola Fruit Farm has ten farmers who contributed pieces of land to make a 10.7h orchard of apples, peaches, apricots and plums.
Maoa Mafubelu Fruit Farm, also in Mahobong, had 17 farmers and sits on a 15.6h orchard of apples. In Leribe ten farmers contributed 15.2h to form Likhetlane Fruit Farm that is home to a flourishing orchard of apples and peaches.
The farms have been incorporated into companies in which the farmers have shareholding based on their land contributions.
Supu says they are currently harvesting red apples which they are selling to Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay, Enrich, Fruit&Veg and other retails shops. They are making their first delivery to Mokhotlong this week.
They are also selling to informal traders in Leribe and Maputsoe where Supu says the volumes are encouraging.
Supu however says despite the high quality the uptake from the market on both Grade A and Grade B apples has been low.
This, he says, could be a result of the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grade A (M14 per kg) is for retail shops and Grade B (M130 per 20kg crate) for small traders.
“We have some of the best and sweetest apples this year. We are appealing to Basotho to support us by buying,” Supu says.
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