IN a world where many uni¬versity students spend their allowances on textbooks, takeout or weekend outings, one young farmer has chosen a different path of investing his allowance into seeds, soil and determination.
Our farmer this week is Simo Motsa, a young man who is a driven university student and passionate small-scale farmer, whose journey into agriculture proves that greatness does not require a grand start, but just vision, hard work and resilience.
He is currently doing his farming activities at Luyengo, where he is also a student at the University of Eswatini at the Luyengo Campus.
Nestled on a modest plot, Motsa makes the most of every season. “During summer, I grow butternuts and watermelon and in win¬ter, I rotate to onions, cabbages, spinach and beetroot, with each crop bringing its own challenges and rewards,” explained Motsa.
While the crops change with the seasons, one thing remains constant, which is the struggle of adapting to extreme weather shifts and battling the persistent threat of pests and diseases.
The weather changes badly affect my farming activities, in summer, pests and plant diseases become uncontrollable. I end up digging deep into my pockets for pesticides, which increases my operational costs,” shared Motsa.
Despite these hurdles, Motsa continues to learn and grow. Currently funding his entire farming venture with his varsity living allowance, he admits he has not yet been able to afford certain investments, like greenhouses or tunnels that could shield his crops from harsh weather.
“I know they would help, but for now I just work with what I have,” he said.
In asmuch as summer has its own negative impacts to the crops, so is the winter season. Cold conditions slow down plant growth and the market price for vegetables like cabbages often drops. “It is disheartening, but I have learnt to adjust my planting techniques,” he explained.
SUSTAINABILITY
For instance, in the rainy sum¬mer season, he makes ridges to ensure proper water drainage, while in the drier winter months, he plants on flat land. He uses sprinklers and rainwater for irri¬gation, doing whatever it takes to keep the plants thriving.”
With his eye on sustainability and a heart for learning, Motsa is more than just a farmer; he is a symbol of grit. He does not shy away from his setbacks, but treats each season as a classroom.
As the seasons change, so does this young farmer’s approach. While pests are rife in summer and difficult to control, he takes notes, adjusts practices and plans for better outcomes.
The dream does not rest but it simply adapts, just like the hands that tend to it.
In a country where food securi¬ty and youth unemployment are growing concerns, Motsa’s story is a reminder that agriculture offers more than just crops, but also offers hope. With limited resources but limitless ambition, this farmer is cultivating more than produce, he is growing a future.
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