Imagine a daring family of farmers in North West, who took their hard-earned cash and rolled the dice on planting 1 000 moringa trees. The journey to nurture these trees to success was no easy feat, but the Matlou family embraced the challenge.
Fast forward to today, their farm boasts over 7 000 thriving moringa trees, coupled with a flourishing moringa agro-processing facility.
Maboang Matlou, founder and CEO of Lefakong Farm, has more than seven years in the agricultural sector, both as and farmer and entrepreneur.
In an interview with Food For Mzansi, Matlou praises the moringa tree as a “miracle tree”. From its leaves, fruit, sap, oil, roots, bark, seeds, and pod, to its flowers, every part of this remarkable tree boasts therapeutic effects, he explains.
“Every part is edible, every component of the moringa tree is edible. The leaves can be eaten like spinach, the seed pods are similar to green beans, and the roots are like horseradish. This makes it a complete meal in a tree,” he says.
ALSO READ: Rising from the ashes in 2023, four bold farmers soldier on
Shifting business focus
Before moringa production in 2015, they farmed spinach, green pepper, brinjal, cabbage, and cash crops. When Matlou and her family learnt that the leaves of moringa trees were bursting with natural goodness, without hesitation, they leapt into the realm of this age-old miracle tree. It was a game-changer.
“At our farm, we do the full production from primary to agro-processing and manufacturing for our products,” she explains.
They seized the opportunity and planted their first 1 000 moringa trees in 2015, and they’ve never looked back.
Today, their family cooperative owns no less than 7 500 moringa trees, and they have successfully monetised every aspect of the business.
Success in agro-processing
The agro-processing unit started in 2018, is where all the magic happens. The raw material is dried to make powder which is in turn packaged. Some of the powder is further refined to make capsules, teabags, health salts, honey, alcoholic beverages such as gin and brandy, cosmetic products such as face masks and cleansers, and candies like gummies and lollipops.
Thanks to the agro-processing unit, Matlou won Female Farmer of the Year in 2018. This win scored her a milling and oil press machine.
The export market has embraced their products quite well, Matlou shares.
“We signed a distribution agreement with Mauritius for the teabags, we’ve attended a summer fancy food show in New York, and we are funded by the North West Development Corporation,” she says.
Including women and youth
As part of their business model, they also train women and youth in primary moringa farming.
“Women account for a significant proportion of the agribusiness workforce throughout different segments of the agricultural value chain. Lefakong’s contribution is focused on women and youth where we see the unlimited potential for skill transfer and development.
“By doing so we see an increase in local women and youth participation in our ongoing development programme,” she explains.
Matlou’s tips for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Do your research and have an understanding of where you want to go.
- Engage with people in the space.
- Don’t be shy with your dreams, knock on other organisations’ doors.
- Consistency and tenacity are key.
- Know your business well from strength to weakness.
READ NEXT: Agripreneur: Dibela turns hair breakage into booming profits
Get Stories of Change: Inspirational stories from the people that feed Mzansi.
