YOUNG GRADUATE FARMERS GO FOR GREEN
Andile Gcaza and Phetole Raseropo are two young bio-scientists who co-founded Evergrow Seedlings, a small nursery in Tladi, Soweto. Andile was born and raised in King Williamstown in the Eastern Cape, while Phetole is from Soweto.
They met at university in 2012 when both were in their first year. Phetole studied botany and Andile graduated with a degree in biochemistry in 2016.
They started their nursery business to provide quality seedlings and extension services to smallholder farmers in peri-urban Gauteng.
From a modest production of 30 seedling trays in 2018, they’ve progressed to a projected production of 5 000 trays (just over 1 million seedlings) this year.
“Our sales have increased dramatically since March last year. We’ve seen rapid growth, with product demand increasing over this short period. The highest month-on-month revenue showed a staggering 1 058% growth rate,” says Andile.
DREAMS BACKED BY DRIVE
The friends shared a common love of plants and dreamt of starting a rooftop or urban farming project after graduation. Andile says he has been fascinated with plants since he was a
