FIELD VISIT REPORT: SENTA-KGORI FARM — POSITIONING BOTSWANA AS A HUB FOR MORINGA VALUE ADDITION AND PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE NUTRACEUTICALS

1. Introduction

As part of the Moringa Expansion and Export Readiness Mission under Prime Promotions Botswana and Farmer’s Pride International (FPI), a high-impact field visit was undertaken to Senta-Kgori Farm, approximately 90 kilometers from Rasesa, Botswana. The visit formed the final leg of our national Moringa assessment tour and brought to light one of the most strategically positioned Moringa producers in the country, with immense potential for commercial success, value addition, and international export.

Owned by the visionary couple Farmer K and Mr. Duncan Thela, Senta-Kgori Farm combines historical heritage, science-based agricultural transformation, and a renewed drive toward sustainable agribusiness. This report offers an in-depth analysis of the farm’s operations, its strategic role in the Prime Promotions Botswana Moringa Capsule Initiative, and the groundbreaking potential of Mr. Duncan Thela’s pharmaceutical expertise and commercial reach.

2. Cultural Legacy and Foundational Story

Senta-Kgori Farm is a symbol of generational continuity, named in honor of the couple’s grandparents, Senta and Kgori. Farmer K, with heartfelt conviction, shared her family’s ancestral lineage, which traces back to Gaborone, a revered forefather and the namesake of Botswana’s capital city. This rooted connection to the land and their heritage illustrates the couple’s long-term commitment not only to farming but to national development and identity preservation through agribusiness.

3. Evolution of Moringa Cultivation on the Farm

Initially, the couple began planting Moringa without fully understanding its global value, nutritional properties, and commercial potential. Over 400 trees were left to grow wild, unmanaged and in some cases destroyed due to lack of direction. This represents a familiar narrative in Botswana and across Africa, where indigenous crops are underutilized due to lack of market systems and awareness.

However, this has now changed significantly.

Through exposure to Prime Promotions Botswana’s export-driven Moringa project, the couple has realigned their production strategy and successfully planted over 6,000 new Moringa trees, which are currently just a few weeks old. These young trees form the first phase of a robust production pipeline targeting pharmaceutical-grade processing and European markets, particularly Germany.

Furthermore, the couple is preparing to scale up to a 10-hectare site in Pandamatenga, one of Botswana’s most fertile and productive farming zones. This expansion will position them as one of the country’s largest Moringa producers, with capacity to supply bulk product for drying, extraction, and capsule formulation.

4. The Transformative Role of Mr. Duncan Thela

The most striking discovery from this visit was the immense potential embedded in Mr. Duncan Thela — a seasoned pharmaceutical entrepreneur, herbal medicine consultant, and medical product development specialist.

Beyond his consultancy and technical expertise, Mr. Thela is the owner of several pharmacies across Botswana, making him one of the few individuals who successfully integrate science, medicine, and agriculture into a coherent and impactful business model. His pharmacies operate in both urban and rural communities, giving him firsthand insight into local health challenges and the unmet demand for natural and affordable nutritional supplements like Moringa.

His contributions can be summarised as follows:

• Pharmaceutical Formulation Expert: Deep knowledge of drug formulation and botanical processing standards.

• Herbal Supplement Innovator: Specialises in plant-based products, especially in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

• Compliance & Regulatory Consultant: Provides guidance on certifications, GMP protocols, and export documentation.

• Medical Entrepreneur: Manages multiple pharmacies across Botswana, enabling direct-to-market distribution channels for Moringa-based products.

• Health Impact Strategist: Advocates for integrating food-based therapies to support public health and immunity, particularly for vulnerable populations.

With his knowledge, infrastructure, and networks, Mr. Thela can play a pivotal role in building Botswana’s first certified Moringa capsule production line, aligned with both local health needs and international export compliance.

5. Strategic Role in the Prime Promotions on Moringa

Promoting Moringa use for immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and nutritional support, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

6. National and Regional Economic Impact

The transformation of Senta-Kgori Farm into a pharmaceutical-aligned Moringa production center offers multiple benefits for Botswana:

• Job Creation: Through capsule processing, packaging, distribution, and retail.

• Industrial Diversification: Creating a new segment in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

• Public Health Promotion: Offering cost-effective, natural supplements to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and enhance immunity.

• Export Growth: With Germany and EU markets as initial targets, Botswana could become a regional leader in Moringa-based health products.

• Knowledge Transfer: From Mr. Thela to emerging youth, women, and researchers, supporting sustainable innovation ecosystems.

7. Prime Promotions Botswana: Unlocking Agro-Industrial Transformation

Under the leadership of Hunter, Prime Promotions Botswana continues to champion value chain development, export market integration, and rural transformation through agriculture. The Moringa Initiative is one of its flagship programs, with key pillars including:

• Farmer Training and Cluster Development

• Drying, Milling, and Packaging Innovations

• Capsule and Oil Production for Global Markets

• Market Branding, Digital Presence, and Trade Linkages

• Public-Private Partnerships with Health Experts and Agro-processors

With Senta-Kgori Farm and Mr. Thela now fully integrated into the project framework, the potential for success and sustainability has greatly increased.

8. Conclusion and Way Forward

Senta-Kgori Farm is no longer just a Moringa site; it is now a strategic agro-pharmaceutical hub in development. The combination of rooted cultural history, technical know-how, and business leadership from the Thela family has created a blueprint for the future of agriculture in Botswana — one that values science, promotes indigenous crops, empowers women, and integrates into global trade systems.

Recommendations:

1. Formally establish Mr. Duncan Thela as Chief Technical Advisor on Herbal Product Development for the Moringa Capsule Program.

2. Secure funding for the pilot capsule production unit on or near Senta-Kgori Farm.

3. Document and promote the farm’s story through media, exhibitions, and academic platforms.

4. Leverage Mr. Thela’s pharmacy network to launch branded Moringa products in Botswana under the Prime Promotions banner.

5. Prepare for German certification processes for Moringa-based herbal products with scientific backing and GMP compliance.

For strategic partnerships and project engagements, please contact:

Hunter – Executive President

Hunter’s Global Network PTY LTD, Prime Promotions PTY LTD & Farmer’s Pride International (FPI)

Plot: 12996, Mine Houses, Monarch, Francistown, Botswana

E-mails:

• hunter@hg-network.org

• president@primepromotions-BW.com

• hunter@farmerspride-int.org

Farmer’s Pride Linktree: https://linktr.ee/farmerspride.int

Note About the Author:

Elfas Zadzagomo Mcloud Shangwa (Hunter) is the Executive President and Founder of Farmer’s Pride International (FPI), Prime Promotions Botswana, and Hunter’s Global Network PTY LTD. A pan-African agricultural transformation expert, author, and thought leader, he has trained over 17,000 farmers across Africa. His core mission is to empower women and youth in agriculture, promote value addition, and position African products on the global market through smart farming and innovation. All his work is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change mitigation, and regenerative agriculture principles.

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