While many young Malawians are caught in the cycle of Job hunting, one young entrepreneur has taken a different path, turning to onion farming with remarkable success.
Meet Oscar Sawyers Mopiha, 27-year-old entrepreneur based in Chileka, Blantyre, who is one of the farmers engaged in onion farming.
Mopiha explained how he got started in onion farming in an interview, he said, “It was just an idea. Besides being someone who is working, I thought it wise to venture into a business where I can sell things that people can consume daily.”
“My idea was to have a business where I can sell things either wholesale or daily, and this is when I came up with the idea of starting onion farming.” He added.
Mopiha discussed the biggest success in running his onion farming business, saying, “This time, I have harvested a significant number of onions, and it’s a big success. I’ve also gotten linked to big markets, which I know will benefit me in the next harvesting season, and I won’t struggle to find a market.”
When it comes to challenges, he noted, “It’s all about climate change. Everyone can agree that this year, we didn’t have enough rain, which affected us. This year, there was more sun, and onions don’t do well with too much sun. So, we had to work hard to find water.”
He also mentioned that another challenge he faces is dealing with friends who underrate his business.
He said: “Sometimes, friends and acquaintances don’t take my onion farming business seriously. They might think it’s just a hobby or a small venture that won’t amount to much.
Mopiha emphasized the importance of selling products through online platforms compared to traditional methods.
He said: “When it comes to reaching more people, online is the best. Nowadays, most people use smartphones, and for that reason, if you’re an entrepreneur, using online platforms can boost your products and help you reach more places than traditional methods.”
He added that it is very important as a farmer to mix agriculture and technology. He said: “Things are changing, and as a farmer, you have to be adaptable. With technology, you can determine the best ways to practice agriculture in order to increase yields.”
“We have to change the way we do farming, unlike farmers in the past. This can help us reach more markets and add value.”
In addition to being an onion farmer, Mopiha is also a videographer and works for a certain organization. He mentioned that he is seeking facilities to expand his onion business.
He said: “I have gone to great lengths to diversify my onion farming activities because it is not easy to maintain onions. I am currently exploring the best facilities to store onions, in terms of infrastructure and equipment.”
“I am also investigating ways to add value to my onions beyond just selling the bulbs. That’s my plan. Next year, I aim to acquire a larger plot of land and invest in a generator set for irrigation purposes.”
Mopiha advised young people who are idle to consider starting a side business instead of relying solely on one source of income. He emphasized the importance of diversification and exploring opportunities to grow and expand one’s ventures.
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