Lesika Agricultural Cooperative growing by leaps and bounds

Lesika Agricultural cooperative from Botshabelo in the Free State, has proven that working together in unity does bear fruits, and that with the support that the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs provides, more jobs can be created.

Lesika Agricultural cooperative is a multiple agricultural project producing and processing herbs and medicinal plants, trees, vegetables, fodder and livestock production.

Lesika has two sides of production which Modulaqhowa plant nursery stand 854 G-section where they produce and process herbs and medicinal plants and trees, and Ramalitse No 22 farm where they produce vegetables, fodder and livestock.

This is a vegetable project on a 12 hector arable land. The project has been operating from 2002 up to date. The project is 100% black owned, with 80:20 women: men ratio.

The project was granted water right for the usage of water on a 10 hector (Modder River) that passes through the farm. The department of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to assist the Cooperative and done so with production input such as vegetable seeds (Onion, Swiss Chard, Cabbage) and more.

Currently Lesika cooperative is operating on two places which 22 Ramalitse farm on the West side of town and Modulaqhowa park on section G. the project is producing and processing herbs, producing flowers, seedling and trees at the G section and producing livestock, fodder and vegetables at 22 Ramalitse farm.

Lesika is producing different types of vegetables and the annual production was 251 bunches of Onions, 3368 bunches of beetroot, 5000 bunches of mustered, 625 bunches of green pepper, 730 bags of tomatoes, 5200 bunches of swiss chards, 500 heads of pumpkins and 400 heads of cabbage

They sell their herbs, trees and seedling to the local community. Harvested vegetables are sold at metro fruit and veg and local shops as well as street vendors.

According to the founder Lesika Agricultural Cooperative Dimakatso Julia Molupe,the Free State Department of Agriculture,Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has been very helpful and assisting them with a bakkie and trailer, which has made being mobile more easier and able to reach their transportation needs.

They made their requests to the department and were assisted. Having their own trailer has saved the cooperative costs as they used to hire a trailer and they are grateful to the department for meeting this vital needs.

The department has from 2021/22 to 2026 been helping the cooperative, and this has helped them to grow, in 2021/22 they were assisted with 4 cylinder water pump engine, seedling trays (200 holes) X 1000, vegetables production inputs (seeds, fertilizers, fuel) (5kg Spinach, 5kg Onions 2kg tomato, 2 kg green papers and 5kgcabbage) and mentorship to mention just a few of the wonderful help received by the cooperative.

Dimakatso Molupe added that without the Free State Department of Agriculture,Rural Development and Environmental Affairs help, they would have struggled and currently, a storage facilities is being built where they are going to store their produce.

“The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has helped us a lot. We have been crying for help and God has answered through the department, they ensured we get all we need. I thank Mme Elzabe Rockman who heard our plight and made sure we get all we need. This will not only benefits us but our children will also benefit from this help received from the department.” Said Molupe.

The cooperative continues to have a positive impact in the community as it provides them with vegetables and herbs at a lower price.

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