At 46, Mpati Makotoko could have succumbed to the challenges life presented and allowed them to define her. Instead, she transformed despair into opportunity, and today, Sunshine Poultry Farm stands as a thriving business in Sebothoane Ha Monki in the Leribe district.
She describes her business as a symbol of hope, resilience and an empowerment hub for women and youth from parts of rural Lesotho.
Mpati’s journey into poultry farming began out of necessity.
After enduring long years of unemployment, she realised she needed to create a future for herself and her family.
“I started raising chickens in 2018, but Sunshine Poultry Farm was officially registered in 2021 as a result of progress,” she recalls, her voice trembling at the memory.
“Initially, it was incredibly difficult. My first fifty chicks, my entire initial investment, died. I had invested my time, money and dreams into those birds. Watching them perish was heart-wrenching. I questioned myself, ‘Am I even capable of this?’”
In those dark moments, Mpati nearly gave up; however, it was her mother’s quiet wisdom that provided the strength to persevere.
“My mother was my shoulder to cry on. She taught me how to care for chickens properly and equipped me with the skills to carry on. She would say, ‘My child, setbacks happen, but one loss cannot define you. You must keep going.’ Her words anchored me, and her traditional wisdom in being a farmer helped a great deal.”
With encouragement and determination, Mpati returned to the farm with renewed focus. She sought advice from experienced small-scale farmers in her community and received vital guidance from TKM Agricultural Solutions.
“Those lessons formed the foundation of my progress,” she admits.
Through trial and error and mentorship, Mpati learned the science of poultry care, nutrition and breeding. Gradually, her flock began to thrive.
By 2022, Sunshine Poultry Farm had risen from the ashes of that initial failed batch to producing between 500 and 700 chickens.
Mpati’s pride in her work was evident. “I now see myself as a commercial farmer. I supply large shops, restaurants, and individual customers. It is no longer just a hobby; it is my livelihood.”
The growth of Sunshine Poultry Farm was measured not just in numbers but also in the diversity and quality of products Mpati offered. “We wanted options that cater to everyone,” she says, noting today, the farm produces drumsticks, chicken soup packs, chicken jerky, and more.
“I chose drumsticks because they guarantee moist, flavourful bites that everyone enjoys,” she explains, her eyes lighting up.
She adds, “Our soup pack is rich, nourishing and warming, more like a hug in a bowl. And our chicken jerky is carefully marinated and slowly dried to perfection.”
Beyond selling meat and exploring agribusiness with her chickens, Mpati invested in a small slaughterhouse, allowing her to oversee the entire process from raising the birds to delivering them ready for cooking.
“We ensure every chicken is handled with care. This builds trust with our clients and guarantees quality. However, challenges remain. We need vehicles with fridges to keep products fresh during delivery. Transportation continues to be an ongoing issue that is harming our operations.”
Despite these hurdles, Mpati’s vision extends beyond her farm. She views her success as a responsibility to her community, noting that Sunshine Poultry Farm mentors young individuals interested in poultry farming, purchases chickens from them, and assists them in building their own flocks.
“This is not just about me. It is about creating opportunities and strengthening the local poultry supply chain to meet the market demand. We grow together,” she says.
Her hard work and dedication have earned her recognition across Maputsoe and Hlotse. Sunshine Poultry Farm is now a trusted name, known for reliability, quality and consistency.
“I am proud to supply shops, restaurants, guest houses and families. People know that when they see Sunshine Poultry Farm, they are getting high-value products.”
Mpati’s embrace of technology has also been pivotal to her success.
She also uses social media to market her products, reaching clients beyond her local area and fostering direct customer connections. This strategy, she says, has helped her brand grow and strengthen customer loyalty.
Yet, the path has not been smooth. Mpati faces an unreliable market, a common challenge for small-scale farmers in Lesotho.
“Sometimes I raise many chickens, but I cannot sell them as quickly as I want. This leads to losses and wasted resources. I have to constantly reorganise, deciding how many chicks to buy and how much to supply.”
“Running the farm is a constant balancing act,” she admits.
Competition from South African imports, she says, adds another layer of difficulty in market penetration.
“Many competitors operate large-scale farms in South Africa with lower operational budgets, which influences their lower selling prices. Competing against those requires strategic planning, high-quality products and building trust with our clients.”
Mpati also reveals the struggles she faces with interruptions in the supply of day-old chicks from South Africa.
“Without a steady supply, my farm cannot grow, and I risk losing clients. It is worrying because I cannot control external problems,” she says, indicating that seasons such as winter bring additional challenges.
“Chicks require heat and protection, which in winter raises costs and creates risks for their well-being. Winter is the hardest time for my farm. It sometimes feels like the cold is fighting against all my hard work,” she says.
Yet, regardless of all these challenges, Mpati has grown stronger.
“Sunshine Poultry Farm is my dream come true. It was not easy. I faced setbacks, I felt like giving up, but I learned from my mistakes and persevered. I built my brand, developed strong relationships with buyers and created a business that contributes to food security in our community,” she reflects on her journey with pride.
Her vision for the future is ambitious. She hopes to establish a board of directors to guide Sunshine Poultry Farm’s growth and build proper housing for her chickens, emphasising care and patience.
“I want to motivate women to engage in farming activities that can support their families,” she says passionately.
She adds, “Farming is not just a man’s job. Women can succeed because we are naturally caring and dedicated. Love for farming, dedication and patience are essential.”
Sunshine Poultry Farm is more than a business—it is a movement towards empowerment, sustainability, and community resilience. Mpati embodies the spirit of a new generation of Mosotho women, rewriting the narrative of rural livelihoods, transforming challenges into opportunities, and realising dreams.
Currently, women comprise 40 per cent of farmers in Lesotho, according to the Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU). They play prominent roles in poultry farming, as seen with TKM Agricultural Solutions.
Historically, women were constrained by cultural norms, domestic roles and limited access to land and resources. But women like Mpati are breaking barriers, claiming their place in commercial farming and achieving economic independence.
“Women have always been silent, but now we are working hard on the land, and it is time to step up. Believe in yourself, and do not let traditional roles hold us back. Farming is for everyone, and it can transform communities,” she says.
Poultry farming remains a critical sector in Lesotho, with the country importing around M2.1 billion worth of chicken annually.
Mpati indicates that local producers like herself are vital for strengthening the country’s food security, creating jobs in rural areas and building self-sufficient communities.