They say true character is not revealed in comfort but in challenge and I’m living proof of that. My name is Khaolo Ramarumo, a proud young farmer from Thaba-Tseka, nestled in the highlands of Lesotho, near the majestic Katse Dam on the Malibamat’so River.
My journey began in high school, when fishing was just a way to support my family. With a government-issued permit, I would cast my lines into the cool waters of the Malibamat’so River, reeling in Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Yellowfish. What started as a means to get by soon sparked a passion I couldn’t ignore.
Eventually, I was fishing so frequently that I started to run out of fish in my favorite spots. That’s when I realized I needed something more sustainable something I could grow. In 2019, fresh out of high school, I built my first fish pond and began farming Rainbow Trout, a nutrient-rich, freshwater fish closely related to salmon.
As my ambitions grew, so did my challenges. Building a second pond was no small feat, but I applied for the youth grant under the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP II) a programme supporting youth-led agribusinesses across Lesotho. That grant changed everything.
Thanks to SADP II, I expanded from one pond to eight, transforming my modest setup into a thriving commercial fish farm. Today, I supply Rainbow Trout to my local district of Thaba-Tseka, across all ten districts of Lesotho, and even beyond our borders.
And I’m not stopping there. I’m now working on producing Yellowfish, diversifying my products and meeting rising market demand. Fish farming has allowed me to provide for my family, pay school fees, and create decent jobs for others in my community.
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Like any business, there are hurdles importing fish feed is costly, markets can be unpredictable, and climate change adds its own complications. But I’ve faced those head-on. I’ve enhanced my skills through training with Extension Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN), and I’ve attended courses abroad to learn advanced fish production techniques.
To my fellow youth, I say this: farming isn’t just digging and planting it’s building a future. If you’re passionate, there are opportunities out there. Programs like SADP II, CAFI, and UNDP’s Youth Initiatives are empowering us to take control of our destiny and reduce youth unemployment. You just have to dive in with dedication.
Fish farming gave me a second chance and now I’m making waves.
The author is the Principal Information Officer and also CCARDESA ICKM Focal Point Person for Lesotho.
