By Relebohile Makhetha
Born the only son among daughters in the humble village of Khokhotsaneng, nestled in the St. Michael’s Roma area, Ntaote Ntaote’s journey began in the fields.
Life in the village demanded more than just presence—it demanded grit.
Herding livestock, ploughing the land, and harvesting crops weren’t occasional chores—they were a rhythm of survival.
“I was raised in a traditional way. Being a herd-boy, ploughing and harvesting shaped who I am today,” he reflects.
Though the soil held his heart, Ntaote’s path led him to lecture halls and accounting textbooks.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in accounting, and today, he serves as an accountant for the Government of Lesotho. But, his bond with the land was never broken—it only grew stronger.
“I started small,” he recalls.
“With just a garden to feed my family, watching those first crops thrive lit a fire in me. I knew I had to dream bigger.”
In October 2023, Ntaote recounts how that dream took root in a much larger way.
He says he ventured into large-scale agriculture—growing crops, raising free-range poultry, and nurturing peach orchards.
His farm now stretches across 17 acres of both personal and leased land, some of it already upgraded with drip irrigation.
“I have three fields—6.5, 5.5, and 5 acres. Two are still traditional, but I’m working on irrigation systems to advance the technological advances on the fields. Right now, I’m growing cabbage, and I’ve budded about 600 peach trees which I plan to transplant this winter.”
Ntaote’s approach to poultry farming is equally intentional, “I’ll begin incubating after winter to ensure maximised production,” he shares, underscoring a lesson every farmer learns early: farming rewards patience and planning.
But even dreams grounded in hard work face storms.
Climate change has taken its toll with Ntaote losing over 4,000 cabbage heads to a brutal heatwave.
“Farming is unpredictable. You can do everything right, but the weather decides your outcome. And it’s not just nature. Access to markets remains a major barrier,” he shares.
He adds, “Competing with imports from South Africa and hesitations from big retailers to support local produce are constant challenges.”
Still, he refuses to be discouraged. He’s invested in 40 rolls of shade nets to protect his crops and embraces a mind-set of continuous improvement.
“You survive by monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting. Farming isn’t static—it’s strategic if one wants to be profitable.”
To young Basotho with an eye on agriculture, Ntaote offers more than advice—he offers hope.
“Start with passion most of the time, but the reality is that farming isn’t just about planting, it’s about patience, resilience, and adaptability.”
He encourages youth to seek mentorship and financial support and to think beyond the soil.
“While production can be seen as the corner stone of farming, marketing matters just as much as production. Without a solid market, your efforts can go to waste.”
Ultimately, he sees agriculture not just as a livelihood, but a path to transformation.
“Farming can create jobs, build communities, and change lives. When it starts bringing in income, get financial advice and reinvest. That’s how we build something lasting and charter towards growth to commercial.”
He describes his journey as more than cultivating crops but rather building a vision, one that proves that tradition and ambition can thrive side by side while mind-set transformation is the cornerstone of progress.
