Matsake is at the forefront of a new farming technology rapidly gaining traction in the country. Hydroponics involves growing plants without soil, by using water and water-based mineral nutrient solutions.
By comparison, rain-fed horticultural farmers would need three hectares of land to produce the same and be limited by seasonal variations such as temperature and rain.
“With hydroponics, you can grow multiple plants without using a lot of land, which is ideal for our unemployed youth who are concerned about the availability of land,” Matsake told Mmegi. “With this method, you are using 100% of the available water, because at least 80% of it circulates in the system again and again, which also means you are saving costs. “That’s why we are able to introduce hydroponics in villages with little water and without electricity because this is about sustainability. “The water circulates, is driven by a pump which is powered by solar, which is in turn powered by the sun. “No one is talking about BPC or WUC and if all of us could do this, the world would be a better place.”
Green Gems is growing leafy crops such as lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers. Its target market includes restaurants, retailers, hostels, and schools in the settlements as well as cooperatives.
“Our peak harvest is winter because of less heat and fewer pests. “This is where funding is critical because farmers need climate-controlled environment tunnels so that they grow vegetables throughout the seasons,” Matsake said.
Green Gems, which turned 24 years old last month, partnered for two years with an American NGO, Palms for Life, and installed hydroponics systems in 11 settlements across the country, targeting the most extreme parts of the country. Settlements and villages such as Manxotae. New Xade, Kedia, Malatswai, Kuke, Sehunou, Otse Central, Mokgenene, Mmantshwabisi, Kgomodiatshaba and others all benefited from the new method.
“We have employed 11 site managers, fresh graduates from the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who are staying at these settlements to train 111 students for free because we believe that this is a national issue,” Matsake said.
While Green Gems has been around for two decades, the uptake of hydroponics has been slow. Matsake explains that the initial costs of setting up the system are usually a challenge and funding for agriculture is not easy to come by in the market.
“Most farmers are part-time, and banks are a bit reserved with funding,” he told Mmegi. “They (banks) need to invest more in agriculture and learn more about agric finance because it's the way the world is going. “Bancassurance must play more in the space of agric insurance and book front-row seats. “Agriculture is no longer a retirement property; it's the future.”
Matsake said over the years, he believes Green Gem’s efforts have borne dividends. More than 80 students are due to graduate next month, after spending time with Green Gems, a symbol of passing on knowledge to the next generation.
“We measure our success by the social impact, lots of harvesting across the country, and the proceeds from the sales belonging to the Village Development Committee. “After a year, the site managers will be replaced by the students. “The site managers will be back to join the mainstream with one year of experience from Green Gem.”
