A passion for trees
27 November 2019 | Agriculture
Lucia Nghilongwa (37) decided to venture into the tree planting business to generate extra income to support herself and her extended family.
Nghilongwa has planted over 200 seedlings that she is currently selling and said the support from the public has been overwhelming.
She said while growing up, she developed a love for trees, which has grown into a passion.
She has grown variety of fruit trees and vegetables, which she sells.
“I grew up in Onelago village in the Oshana Region and we had many trees in the village. I used to admire those trees and I always had a curiosity to find out how those trees grew in such beautiful manner, just by nature.
“Later on people started cutting down these trees to build their houses and it caused deforestation and nature got spoiled,” Nghilongwa said.
“I started practicing growing plants every time I got seeds and they always came out successfully. When the economic situation got worse I decided to grow trees and started growing them so that I can sell to generate extra income.”
Nghilongwa said the tree business is an easy one that does not require huge starting capital. She said all one has to do is to collect seeds and pay for water usage.
She bought a piece of land at Omaalala village, where she establish a nursery and a vegetable garden. She also planted some trees she had grown on her plots, just to test how they react.
“I look crazy because every time I see a person eating a fruit I have to wait until they through away the seed so that I collect it. I have to collect as many seeds as possible, so that I can have the biggest variety of trees possible.
“I fenced off the plot I got to make sure that animals will not destroy the plants. I also had to apply for a water connection to make sure there is always water for the plants. I also have three people who help me with plants,” she said.
She said on a monthly basis she spends about N$1 600 on water, which she does not have a problem with, because she always recovers the money when selling trees and vegetables, which she sells along the road or at towns.
Nghilongwa encouraged other youth to stand up and do something to earn themselves an income.
“We cannot just be seated at home blaming the government. There are many opportunities out there; let us explore them. As long as we are serious we will just succeed,” Nghilongwa added.
ILENI NANDJATO
Nghilongwa has planted over 200 seedlings that she is currently selling and said the support from the public has been overwhelming.
She said while growing up, she developed a love for trees, which has grown into a passion.
She has grown variety of fruit trees and vegetables, which she sells.
“I grew up in Onelago village in the Oshana Region and we had many trees in the village. I used to admire those trees and I always had a curiosity to find out how those trees grew in such beautiful manner, just by nature.
“Later on people started cutting down these trees to build their houses and it caused deforestation and nature got spoiled,” Nghilongwa said.
“I started practicing growing plants every time I got seeds and they always came out successfully. When the economic situation got worse I decided to grow trees and started growing them so that I can sell to generate extra income.”
Nghilongwa said the tree business is an easy one that does not require huge starting capital. She said all one has to do is to collect seeds and pay for water usage.
She bought a piece of land at Omaalala village, where she establish a nursery and a vegetable garden. She also planted some trees she had grown on her plots, just to test how they react.
“I look crazy because every time I see a person eating a fruit I have to wait until they through away the seed so that I collect it. I have to collect as many seeds as possible, so that I can have the biggest variety of trees possible.
“I fenced off the plot I got to make sure that animals will not destroy the plants. I also had to apply for a water connection to make sure there is always water for the plants. I also have three people who help me with plants,” she said.
She said on a monthly basis she spends about N$1 600 on water, which she does not have a problem with, because she always recovers the money when selling trees and vegetables, which she sells along the road or at towns.
Nghilongwa encouraged other youth to stand up and do something to earn themselves an income.
“We cannot just be seated at home blaming the government. There are many opportunities out there; let us explore them. As long as we are serious we will just succeed,” Nghilongwa added.
ILENI NANDJATO
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