Tholoana Orchard Society is a legally registered cooperative formed under the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Innovation Hub whose job is to create orchards in Lesotho. “The idea is to grow fruit trees in protected and cared-for orchards in suitable lands close to Roma Campus,” said Mr Retsepile Matamane who is leading the project.
[WhatsApp Mr Matamane here for more information: +266 63629058. Also, join this WhatsApp group for continuous updates : https://chat.whatsapp.com/C6CwmhzmZUVFyXs40c1my0].
The fruits will be sold as raw, dried and later as juices and wines.
HOW CAN YOU JOIN?
1. As the first step, you pay a Membership Fee of M200, and Initial Share Capital of M50 (so you pay a total of M250.00) to the following Bank Account:
Account No: 9080007805930
Bank: Standard Lesotho Bank
Branch: Roma Branch
Then send clear pictures of (1) your copy of ID, (2) your proof of payment to tholoanaorchardsoc@gmail.com.
Please note the following:
(a) You can still pay by electronic transfer. However, you will have to save and send a screenshot of the transfer as a proof of payment.
(b) Payments are not restricted to only Roma Branch. You can deposit at any Standard Bank branch close to you.
Then you will receive a letter of membership by email.
(c) There will be monthly contributions and those will be charged directly from your account. Don’t pay those yet. You will know when to].
HOW WILL THE COOPERATIVE WORK?
(a) Any person who is a citizen of Lesotho can be member.
(b) Members will make monthly deposits in multiples of M50, into the coop as their contribution so as to grow the coop. The contributions will be withdrawn from members’ bank accounts so the coop will be cashless and paperless.Therefore members must have an active bank account in any of the banks in Lesotho.
(c) In order for the orchards to keep growing in scale and reach, such contributions will be continuous, that means you will keep contributing as long as you are a member.
(d) Each time there is enough money to create a single orchard or expand on the existing one, such orchard will be created or expanded!
HOW WILL THE ORCHARDS BE DONE?
(a) Suitable lands will be located. They will preferably be closer to the NUL Innovation Hub.
(b) Each orchard may be fenced for security.
(c) There may be security guards in each orchard to enforce security.
(d) Fruit trees will then be grown in a protected manner which might include the use of shade nets and smart but simple water collection methods.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE FRUITS ARE RIPE?
(a) They may be sold as raw.
(b) Some may be dried and packaged.
(c) Some may be turned into juices and wines.
HOW WILL THE COOP MEMBERS BENEFIT?
(a) Members will get dividends proportionate to their relative contributions which will be studiously recorded. However, it is important to note that Tholoana is a long-term investment society. So dividends will take years to realize.
WHAT IS NEXT?
(a) A platform that will enable the Society to automatically take monthly contributions from your account is being created with the bank.
(b) A website that will allow potential members to apply online is being created.
(c) A general meeting will be called to elect new committee members. It will be online.
(d) Suitable lands for the Orchards will be surveyed and negotiated.
