Rooted in a lifelong connection to the land, founder and CEO of Agricast Advisory Services Kgomotso Ranchu explores how gardening and agriculture can drive food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.<\/p>\n
What inspired you to start gardening, and what keeps your passion for it alive today?<\/strong><\/p>\n My love for gardening started very early. Growing up in Bethlehem, farming wasn\u2019t just a concept \u2013 it was a way of life. Being close to the land taught me patience, responsibility, and the wonder of watching something grow from a tiny seed into food or beauty. What keeps that passion alive today is seeing how gardening and agriculture can still change lives, whether it\u2019s a household becoming food secure or a small-scale farmer turning a passion into a sustainable business.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your top tip for Bloemfontein gardeners looking to grow healthy, thriving plants \u2013 whether indoors, in a garden or in small spaces?<\/strong><\/p>\n Understand your environment first. Bloemfontein has a dry climate, so waterwise gardening is essential. Start with the soil \u2013 healthy soil equals healthy plants. Use compost, mulch generously, and avoid overwatering. Even in small spaces, choose plants that suit your conditions instead of fighting nature. Gardening becomes much easier when you work with your climate, not against it.<\/p>\n If you could only grow one plant for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n Spinach. It\u2019s versatile, nutritious, fast-growing and forgiving \u2013 perfect for both beginners and experienced growers. It thrives in gardens, containers, and small spaces, and offers continuous harvests. For me, spinach represents practicality and resilience, two values that are essential in agriculture.<\/p>\n How do you involve family, friends or the community in your gardening projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n Gardening is far more powerful when it\u2019s shared. I involve family and friends by turning it into a learning experience \u2013 planting together, sharing harvests, and exchanging knowledge. At a community level, I focus on training, mentorship, and demonstration gardens. When people see what\u2019s possible with their own hands, they become invested and proud of the process.<\/p>\n Growing up with farming roots in Bethlehem, what experiences shaped your vision for Agricast Advisory Services and your commitment to small-scale farmers?<\/strong><\/p>\n I saw many hardworking farmers struggle \u2013 not because they lacked skills, but because they lacked access. Small-scale farmers often have land and passion but are excluded from funding, markets, and technical support. Agricast Advisory Services was created to bridge that gap and ensure farmers are treated as real businesses with real potential.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve helped over 160 farmers access more than R50 million in funding. What has been the biggest barrier farmers face in securing support, and how does Agricast bridge that gap?<\/strong><\/p>\n The biggest barrier is poor business readiness \u2013 things like incomplete documentation, weak business plans, and limited financial literacy. Agricast addresses this by preparing farmers properly, from compliance and business planning to funding applications and post-funding support. We don\u2019t just help them access money; we help them manage and grow it sustainably.<\/p>\n Your work spans multiple provinces and includes the development of AgriHubs. How do these hubs change the game for rural, women- and youth-led farmers?<\/strong><\/p>\n AgriHubs create shared spaces for production, learning, and market access. They reduce costs, improve efficiency, and build confidence \u2013 especially for women and young farmers who are often excluded. These hubs transform isolated farmers into organised producers who can negotiate better, learn faster, and grow together.<\/p>\n You often speak about agriculture as a movement rather than just a job. What does that mindset mean in practice, and how do you hope it will reshape the future of farming in South Africa?<\/strong><\/p>\n Seeing agriculture as a movement means recognising its power beyond profit. It\u2019s about dignity, food security, employment, and nation-building. In practice, it means collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. I hope this mindset inspires a new generation of farmers who are business-minded, environmentally conscious, and socially driven \u2013 reshaping South African agriculture into a more inclusive and sustainable sector.<\/p>\n Text and photograph: Clement Matroos\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This month, we speak to some of Bloem\u2019s greatest gardeners about their expertise, passion, and what makes their green thumbs thrive. Rooted in a lifelong connection to the land, founder and CEO of Agricast Advisory Services Kgomotso Ranchu explores how gardening and agriculture can drive food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. What inspired you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":20274,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[8826,8825],"class_list":{"0":"post-20273","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"tag-meet-bloems-green-fingers","9":"tag-meet-bloems-green-fingers-founder-and-ceo-of-agricast-advisory-services-kgomotso-ranchu"},"yoast_head":"\n