Farmers find a new catch in aquaculture

A fish pond full of promise for a new livelihood. That is what most farmers in Lesotho are resorting to as they trade their tractors for aquaculture ponds.

Among the aspiring fish farmers are Mokholoane Sojane (25) and Mamoka Shea (26), of Ha Toloane in Maseru district. The duo recently ventured into aquaculture and they have since discovered the potential of fish farming as a stable and lucrative source of income.

Sojane and Shea had already established themselves as versatile farmers, rearing bees, planting vegetables, and keeping ducks, pigs and chickens.

Driven by a passion for farming, they decided to add fishing to their repertoire this year, embarking on the journey of establishing a fish pond with the potential to provide a new and promising source of income.

They began their fishing venture in January, with 80 fish in their newly established pond. Through careful husbandry and their shared expertise, they have successfully increased their stock to 125 fish, representing a significant return on their initial investment of M5 per fish.

For these two young men, the fish pond has become more than just a hobby, it is a source of income and a new way of life.

While they are still in the early stages of their fish farming venture, they are adamant that they would soon reap the rewards of their newfound trade.

“We are no strangers to hard work, but are always up for a new challenge and we are confident that just like other opportunities we ventured in, this too shall be a success.” Sojane says with a smile.

“Aquaculture presents a new way to feed our family and community, even if it means swapping our plough for a fish pond.

“Our journey in farming did not start now. We had always seen farming as a lucrative means of income. We were young but our dream was made possible by my uncle who gave us a piece of land, and drilled a borehole for us.

“At the time, we would use the water for watering vegetables, but as years went on, we became interested in stocking fishes in the same dam,” Sojane said.

For these two seasoned farmers, venturing into traditional agriculture was not without challenges, so was aquaculture.

They say having to cross to South Africa on regular basis to import fish food was their biggest challenge as it does not only require significant time but is also expensive.

“There is no fish food in the country. We hope to see more local suppliers emerge to meet the increasing demand for fish food, as this would greatly simplify and streamline our operations,” Shea noted.

With a deep love for land and an entrepreneurial spirit, Sojane and Shea have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversifying their farming operations. Their passion for agriculture is evident in the way they approach each new venture with enthusiasm, eager to learn and grow their business.

Sojane and Shea have been working together on various agricultural ventures since 2022. Their latest foray into fish farming is evidence of their longstanding partnership and shared interest in agriculture.

Initially, they used the water from the borehole to water their vegetables but their interest in farming continued to grow. Over the years, they began to dream of expanding their operations by stocking fish in the same dam.

“Working together on our farm has been a dream come true. We have built this partnership from the ground up, and fish farming is not just the latest chapter in our journey. We’re just homeboys with shared love for the land and our country’s resources; that is what keeps us going.