Volume 65 Issue 22-March-April 2025 : Others

Nestled in the heart of Malolwane, Wipix Garden is not just an apple orchard; it’s a vibrant hub of sustainability and collaboration, producing farm-fresh apples perfect for snacking and creating homemade delights.

Wipix Garden is a testament to the celebration of diversity, offering a serene space for farmers to connect with nature and each other. This initiative emphasises community, allowing stakeholders to work together, share skills, and develop their abilities. Orchards like Wipix play a crucial role in mitigating the negative impacts of environmental degradation, whether in urban or rural settings.

More than just an orchard, Wipix Garden invites individuals of all ages and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves, collaborate, and relish the fruits of their labor.

The orchard is the brainchild of Ms Ipeleng Ramatlhakwane, a passionate advocate for organic farming. Ramatlhakwane describes Wipix Garden as an ambitious initiative with a well-diversified portfolio. “If we as a country produce our own fruits, we would gain control over food production, especially in an era flooded with genetically modified organisms and nutrition deficiencies. Producing our own food puts us in a stronger position,” she explains.

Ms Ramatlhakwane underscores that local production reduces Botswana’s import bill. Utilising borehole water for irrigation and harnessing solar energy, she employs sustainable practices to nurture her crops, watering them in the early morning or late evening to conserve resources.

Though Wipix Garden is renowned for its apples, it hosts a plethora of other plants. Lavender, for instance, is harvested for its aromatic bath salts, while vetiver and bracharia grasses serve as valuable fodder and mulching options. Ms Ramatlhakwane proudly shares, ‘we also cultivate Lerotse, from which we extract juice for cooking, and luffa, which is used in salads and as sponges when mature.’

Wipix is a model of integrated farming, featuring diverse livestock, including cattle, horses, goats, sheep, fish, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and quail birds. 

“We utilise rabbit urine as a foliar nutrient and insecticide, while their droppings are collected and sold as manure,” Ms Ramatlhakwane reveals.

The support received from the government and parastatals has propelled Wipix Garden towards success. Member of Parliament for Kgatleng East, Mabuse Pule, praises the farm’s reputation, noting its potential to significantly contribute to both the constituency and national economy. After its second harvest in 2024, Pule observed the maturation of the trees and fruits, making them highly appealing to market opportunities.

Mr Pule encourages young people passionate about farming to pursue agricultural careers, emphasising, that ‘agriculture is a fundamental pillar of sustainability. A country that feeds itself can only thrive.”

Dr Otsoseng Oagile, an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), advocates for sustainable farming practices. He suggests utilising local resources, reducing water usage, applying natural fertilizers, and protecting natural resources for future generations. Dr Oagile encourages farmers to adopt climate-smart production methods and optimise resources through water-saving techniques like hydroponics.

Allie Obelegeng, a dietician from Princes Marina Hospital, highlights the importance of incorporating fruits into one’s diet. 

“A fruitless diet can lead to fiber deficiency, causing constipation, and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, detrimental to overall health,” she warns.

Dr Oagile emphasises that apples, with their edible peels high in fiber, promote digestive health and hydration. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, supporting skin health and fighting inflammation. 

She advises consuming two to four servings of fruits daily, emphasising variety and colourful selections.

Wipix Garden not only contributes to the community’s agricultural landscape but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and health awareness. ENDS

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