Ellenora Muranda is a part-time livestock, crop, and poultry farmer in Tsintsabis, Tsumeb district. Growing up, Muranda spent some of her school holidays on the farm with her grandparents, and that is when she developed a passion for farming. 

Last year September, she decided to venture into diversified farming part-time. Muranda currently farms with goats and chickens and produces cabbages, tomatoes, green peppers, butternuts, watermelons, and sweet melons.

She supplies her produce to local retailers such as Spar Hochland Park, Spar Westlane and Namcor Otjomuise service station, and Namcor at the Hosea Kutako International Airport service station.

“The future of agribusiness looks very bright. I can say that there is indeed local support for farmers. We have retailers that are supporting us,” she said. 

Muranda aspires to become a full-time farmer soon. On character building, she said farming has made her more appreciative of her journey and increased her passion for it. She said she doesn’t mind working long hours. 

“I honestly do not mind waking up early in the morning and going to bed very late because I love and enjoy what I do,” she said.

Muranda said some of the challenges she experienced were finances when she started her agribusiness. Another challenge she experienced was gender discrimination. She said some of her employees were not comfortable taking orders from her as they would from a man. Travelling to the farm every weekend, especially during the harvesting season, is another challenge she experienced in her farming journey. She considers her first crop and poultry harvest; as some of her best experiences. Some of her other best experiences are sitting around the fire and sharing amazing stories.

“Agriculture is the way to go. Farming is usually perceived to be a man’s world. Only men can do it because women are too fragile to get their hands dirty; however, it is not the case. Women can also be part of that world. And that is my motto,” she said.

- Agribank