Farmer turns post-harvest losses into profits

While many farmers watch their ripe tomatoes rot due to a lack of market access, one farmer has turned this challenge into a lucrative opportunity.

Onesmus Alalicky Jordan, a farmer based in Olushandja (Etaka), Etunda Village, Onesi constituency, has realised that the future of farming extends beyond merely harvesting and selling fresh produce – it lies in value addition.

After discovering that some customers actually prefer dried tomatoes, onions and green peppers over fresh vegetables, Jordan began experimenting. Today, his dried vegetables are in high demand.

"I began drying vegetables last year. During harvest season, ripe tomatoes often cannot reach the market quickly enough and spoil on the shelf," Jordan explained in an interview with Ewi lyaNooli.

Drying his produce, he said, not only cuts post-harvest losses but also helps him maximise profits. It all comes down, he stressed, to adding value to what he grows, rather than just selling it fresh.

During the harvest season, which spans from July to September, Jordan acts swiftly. He slices tomatoes, onions and green peppers into smaller pieces, places them on shaded nets and lets them bask in the sun for a week.

"I don't waste any time during harvest. After a week in the sun, they're ready to be packaged and sold, or you can grind them into powder," he explained.

Market security

His business is thriving. A 100 g packet of pounded tomato powder retails for N$10, while 500 g of dried tomatoes is sold at the same price. The customer demand is ever-present, he told Ewi.

"When I announce that I have dried tomatoes or green peppers, customers always flock to buy. There has never been a time when I dried my vegetables and didn’t find buyers."

He said the lesson is for producers to "adapt to serve our customers better".

Unlike many small-scale farmers who struggle to identify markets, Jordan has successfully secured his. With assistance from the Namibian Agronomic Board, he has established supply agreements with major retailers.

"I have agreements with local markets such as Choppies, Spar and AMTA. Every time I harvest, I supply them," he said.

Don’t sit back, act

His farm grows diverse produce.

In addition to tomatoes, onions and green peppers, he also cultivates cabbage, chilli, maize, pumpkin and watermelon, rotating crops by season to maintain soil health.

However, not everything is smooth sailing. Jordan faces ongoing challenges from pests and whiteflies, which require constant management and intervention. But he tackles these problems as they arise.

He encourages fellow farmers to conduct research and explore innovative ways to add value to their crops.

"This is not the time to merely harvest and sell," he said.

"Now is the opportunity to innovate and differentiate, because otherwise, you risk wasting produce that could simply be enhanced through value addition."