By Seahlolo Reporter
When Thabang Tlhapi first ventured into farming in 2006, he started small with a piggery and for years, pigs were his livelihood, carrying him through the ups and downs of farming life.
Yet, in his heart, he knew that piggery was only the beginning.
Nearly two decades later, Tlhapi Farm, has become a beacon of resilience and innovation, proving how persistence, vision, and the support of SADP II can turn a farmer’s dream into a powerhouse of dairy and red meat production in Lesotho.
Today, the farm’s story is not just about cows or milk but a story of transition, integration, and determination reflecting the broader ambitions of Basotho farmers to modernise agriculture, seize opportunities, and inspire the next generation.
For seven years, from 2006 to 2013, piggery sustained Tlhapi and his family. The pigs provided a steady income and taught him valuable lessons in animal husbandry and farm management; however, by 2018, determined to scale his farming business, he applied for the SADP I grant.
The application was unsuccessful, but instead of giving up, he took it as an opportunity to reflect and refine his vision.
“Piggery was a stepping stone. It gave me the courage and discipline to take on bigger projects. When SADP I did not go my way, I studied their feedback carefully, corrected my mistakes, and pressed on.”
In 2019, guided by that feedback, he shifted gears into dairy, starting modestly with three cows. Two years later, in 2021, he applied again—this time for SADP II and his persistence paid off.
The SADP II grant became the cornerstone of Tlhapi Farm’s transformation. Structured in milestones, the grant provided support step by step.
“Each milestone came with its own challenges. Sometimes it was frustrating, but I learned to be patient. Today I can proudly say I have improved 70% of the farm through this support,” he explains.
The first milestone he recounts was the drilling of a borehole, a lifeline for the farm’s water supply. This was followed by the construction of a kraal and protective structures, then the award of eight Holstein Friesian cows, a highly productive breed well-suited for commercial dairy.
Today, Tlhapi Farm has 12 dairy cows, producing around 120 litres of milk a day.
“The demand for milk is enormous, and yet there are just a few dairy farms in the country. Collectively, even if each farmer supplied 5,000 litres a day, it would still not meet the national demand.”
Although dairy is now the farm’s heartbeat, Tlhapi Farm thrives on integration and diversity.
Alongside cows, the farm has retained its pigs, added sheep, poultry, and grains.
“I don’t grow those others on a commercial scale. The chickens and sheep are more to make the farm vibrant. But financially, they provide important support. The income from pigs or sheep often helps cover tools, medication, and feed for the dairy cows.”
This mixed farming strategy is not just about financial resilience, but according to Tlhapi, it also creates a balanced ecosystem where by-products are exchanged: grain feed for livestock, manure for crops, and livestock diversity for market flexibility.
Dairy farming, Tlhapi insists, is not a “one-man mission.”
Recognising this, he joined forces with other farmers to form the Determined Association, a group focused on collective procurement, knowledge sharing, and cost reduction.
“When you import cows as an individual farmer, costs can kill you, but when farmers team up, use one agent, share logistics, and avoid scams, one can save a lot of money. Collaboration reduces risks and makes us stronger,” he says.
Within the association, he explains that farmers exchange feed, manure, transport, and expertise, building a support system that extends beyond individual farms. This cooperative spirit has been key to Tlhapi Farm’s survival and growth.
One of the greatest impacts of SADP II, the farmer emphasises, has been its insistence on accountability and precision.
“SADP II is not a token of luxury but a stepping stone to the vision you outlined in your application. Farmers must remember that SADP II is not their business manager; therefore, it is up to us to take full responsibility for our farms’ growth.”
He points to some farmers who lose focus once funds arrive.
“That mentality is dangerous. This grant is not about buying luxuries; it’s about building the future you committed to.”
For Tlhapi Farm, SADP II has also introduced him to professional skills such as bookkeeping.
Today, the farm has clear records on each cow’s performance, evaluates when to retire animals, and understands the financial value of the herd. Coupled with his academic background in agriculture, these skills, he says have elevated his farm from survival-based to agribusiness-oriented.
“Farming is not a retirement plan. It is a career that demands full-time commitment and looking at the business aspect of it, it takes about three years to see real profit. I don’t encourage young Basotho to treat it as a side hustle. Start early, treat it seriously, and the long-term rewards will come,” he advices.
Tlhapi’s forward-thinking mindset is visible in the farm’s infrastructure. His cowshed and kraal are designed to minimise movement inside, maintaining sanitation and functionality. Doors are positioned so that workers move outside rather than within the shed reducing contamination risks.
“These small innovations make a big difference,” he says proudly adding, “With every design, I am thinking about efficiency and animal welfare.”
Beyond his own success, Tlhapi is committed to creating opportunities for others.
The farm employs one permanent worker and four temporary staff, while also mentoring young men and women.
He believes the youth must see farming as a career of dignity and potential.
“Farming is not for lazy people. Even if you have money, it will not compensate for the love and care animals need. If you begin young, you can build a legacy.”
Holding fast to the Sesotho proverb “Ea bohlale o ithuta ka mehla” (The wise keep on learning), the farmer embraces lifelong learning through the array of SADP II workshops, Ministry refresher trainings, and farmer-to-farmer exchanges.
Tlhapi Farm has already achieved over 100% profit turnover since receiving the SADP II support, but Tlhapi knows the journey is far from over.
He reveals that the farm is still working toward its final milestones, which include farm signage, medical kits, and a lactometer for milk quality testing.
“I have a blueprint I can point to as a milestone, but there is still more to do. The dream is to leave a legacy of excellence in dairy farming,” he says.
Reflecting on the journey, Thabang affirms that without SADP II, Tlhapi Farm would not be where it is today.
“The initiative is precise. It expects accountability, and that’s exactly what farmers need. When you apply, be clear, be disciplined, and know that every cent must be justified. SADP II is not a get-rich-quick scheme—it is a stepping stone to perfection.”
