From a Small Garden to Supplying Supermarkets: Mokone’s Journey of Faith, Farming and Family Transformation
By Reentseng Phephetho, Communications and Digital Officer
At 57 years old, Mokone of Mafeteng district carries farming in his blood. He grew up in a family whose livelihood depended on crop production, a foundation that quietly shaped his future. In 2014, drawing from indigenous knowledge passed down through generations, he began growing spinach and cabbage in a small garden at home. At first, it was simply a way to put food on the table for his family. But when his harvest unexpectedly exceeded his household needs and villagers started asking to buy from him, Mokone had a realization that would change his life: crop production could be more than survival — it could be a business.
The journey was far from easy. Mokone worked the garden alone, with no support from his wife and children, who at the time had little interest in farming. Without formal skills, he often battled crop diseases that wiped out entire harvests. Storms and heavy rains destroyed vegetables, while dry seasons brought water shortages that caused crops to wither. Even when the harvest was good, markets were unreliable, and unsold vegetables often rotted away. Still, he refused to give up.
“I was passionate because I had seen a little that I can earn a living out of crop production, so I carried on,” he recalls.
Mokone tending to his tomatoes in the greenhouse, carefully monitoring their growth and progress.
In 2018, Mokone took a bold step and formally registered his crop production business. This opened new doors, and in 2021, through the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP), he received two greenhouses, enabling him to increase production and improve yields. His vision continued to grow, and in 2023 he mobilized other villagers to form a farmers’ group. They named it Matsatseng Sweet Potato, choosing the crop for its uniqueness and market potential in Lesotho.
A major turning point came in March 2025 when World Vision, through the SADP II-funded Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Project, began working with the group. Mokone and his fellow farmers received a series of transformative trainings, including Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP). The concept of “Market before Production” reshaped his entire approach to farming.
“I now have a very good market. As I speak, the demand is higher than I can supply,” he says with pride.
Mokone harvesting his tomato crop ahead of scheduled deliveries to local markets
Today, Mokone focuses on tomato production and has secured official supply contracts with five supermarkets in Mafeteng district, as well as street vendors. He delivers boxes of tomatoes twice a week, and the impact on his income has been remarkable. From earning about M10,000 through traditional vegetable sales, he now makes up to M100,000 from tomato sales.
This growth has transformed his family’s life. With children in high school, Mokone can now comfortably pay school fees and meet all educational needs. He has fully furnished his home using income from tomato sales. Perhaps most meaningful is the change within his household. After receiving Gender Equality training, the barrier of being a one-man operation disappeared. His wife and children are now actively involved in the business and can manage operations even when he is away. Responsibilities are shared, and farming has become a true family enterprise.
Training in bookkeeping further strengthened the business. Mokone can now properly record sales and manage finances, moving away from informal practices. Through Savings for Transformation (S4T), established after another training, he saves collectively with others and uses the funds to buy more tomato seedlings, further increasing production.
Beyond income and skills, the Empowered World View training deepened Mokone’s spiritual journey. It reminded him to place God at the centre of everything he does and to use what he has to build the life he desires. This faith-driven outlook fuels his compassion for others. Every week, he donates tomatoes to elderly and vulnerable people in his village, as well as to a nearby pre-school.
“I am where I am because God has carried me. Supporting the needy warms my heart, and God will keep blessing me more,” he shares.
Mokone does not keep his success to himself. Farmers, both individually and in groups, regularly visit him to learn. His example has already inspired the formation of a new farmers’ group, a milestone he is deeply proud of. His dream is to continue helping others grow, so together they can meet the ever-increasing market demand.
From a small backyard garden to supplying supermarkets, Mokone’s story is one of perseverance, learning, faith, and shared growth — proof that with the right support, knowledge, and determination, smallholder farming can truly change lives.