A “Warm Nest” That Nurtures and Empowers Farmers to Flourish Beyond Food Loss

In the heart of South Africa’s rural communities, countless farmers pour months of labour, sweat, and hope into their fields, only to watch much of their hard-earned harvest rot away before it ever reaches a market. It’s not because of poor farming practices, but because of limited access to storage, transport, or reliable buyers.

When food goes to waste, so do the hopes and hard work of countless farmers.

According to a CSIR study, South Africa loses or wastes about 10 million tonnes of edible food every year, which is roughly one-third of what the country produces. A large share of this loss happens in early stages, on farms, during post-harvest handling, and when produce is rejected due to cosmetic standards.

For Justice Lebotsa, who grew up in a farming household, witnessing the painful cycle of post-harvest waste firsthand was something he simply could not ignore. To him, it was more than wasted produce; he saw untapped potential, a chance to turn loss into lasting relief and sustainable livelihoods for farmers like his own family.

That vision became the seed for Warm Nest Enterprise, a platform designed to help farmers access practical learning resources, reliable markets to sell their harvests, and proper storage facilities to prevent future waste.

Sowing the Seeds of Change

Founded in 2022, Warm Nest Enterprise was born out of Justice’s own lived experience. Growing up in Ga-Moloi village, in Limpopo, Justice saw firsthand how post-harvest losses were a constant struggle for smallholder farmers.

“Crops like maize (mealies), tomatoes, cabbage, and mangoes were often harvested in abundance but then left unsold due to a lack of storage, poor transport, or no access to reliable markets. Farmers would pile their produce by the roadside, hoping passing buyers or middlemen would stop. Unfortunately, much of this produce, sometimes 30–50% of the harvest, remained there for days, exposed to the hot sun, rain, and pests, until it started rotting,” Justice paints the picture of the scene.

He adds that most of the time, the spoiled vegetables were either discarded on the land, given as low-value animal feed, or dumped in open pits to decompose, turning what should have been a source of income and food into a loss for the entire community.

“The name Warm Nest came from an idea of nurture,” Justice explains. “Just like a nest provides a safe place for growth, I wanted our enterprise to be a nurturing space for farmers and young Agri-entrepreneurs, to help them develop resilience, gain resources, and turn their hard work into lasting success.”

Behind that poetic image of Warm Nest lies a powerful mission: to address post-harvest losses, strengthen smallholder farmers through practical support, and inspire young entrepreneurs to see farming as a real opportunity rather than a struggle.

From lived experience to leadership - Justice Lebotsa (right), an Agri-tech enthusiast and Founder of Warm Nest Enterprise, is sowing the seeds of change for smallholder farmers.

Bridging Knowledge, Networks, and Markets Through Digital Learning and Community Collaboration

Through Warm Nest, farmers experience hands-on, empowering learning and meaningful connections that help their businesses grow. They attend seminars and webinars and watch short local-language videos that teach practical skills – from post-harvest handling and sustainable farming to digital record-keeping and smart marketing. Illustrated guides and templates on their phones let farmers put what they learn into practice, while connecting with peers on the Agri Innovate Unite platform, where they trade inspiring success stories, solve challenges together, and receive guidance from experienced Agri-entrepreneurs and Agi-economists. Warm Nest also connects farmers directly to buyers and cooperatives, helping them sell more produce at fair prices. Through Agri Innovate Unite, they receive real-time price alerts, learn when and where to sell, and are introduced to reliable transport and storage solutions to keep their harvests fresh.

“Warm Nest currently supports more than 500 farmers and Agri-entrepreneurs across South Africa, with over 200 active participants regularly using our Agri Innovate Unite platform,” Justice shares.

Justice explains that this isn’t about selling technology but about creating life-changing access.

“Many rural farmers have never had the chance to use digital tools that could change their lives. We bridge that gap by combining training with technology, so they can see the benefit first-hand. Once they realise it helps them earn more and waste less, they embrace it.”

Although Warm Nest is based in Gauteng, its solutions are designed for farmers across South Africa. With a digital and collaborative approach, the team reaches even the most remote communities, empowering rural farmers with post-harvest resources, knowledge, and support, no matter where they are.

Farmers engage in practical learning at a Warm Nest seminar, gaining skills in post-harvest handling, sustainable farming, and digital record-keeping.

Sustainable Farming That Protects Land and Livelihoods

Agriculture is the backbone of food production in South Africa, providing nourishment for millions and supporting countless vital livelihoods. Ensuring sustainable practices is not only crucial for smallholder farmers, but also for South Africans who rely on this food, and for local and national economies, since farmers sell their produce to buyers across the country. When farmers are well-informed, have access to practical, empowering tools, and can connect with markets and peers, they are better able to safeguard their land, increase yields, and secure reliable income, while building lasting resilience for the future.

For Warm Nest Enterprise, sustainability means balancing productivity with care for both the environment and the people. Farmers also learn climate-smart, forward-thinking practices, use digital tools to plan and track their crops, and adopt techniques that keep the land healthy and thriving.

As Justice says, “Sustainability for us isn’t just about the environment, it’s about people. If farmers can keep producing food, earn a fair income, and inspire the next generation, then we’ve built a system that truly lasts.”

With the right tools and knowledge, young farmers can grow nutritious crops while securing income and nurturing the land for the future.

Journey, Challenges, and Moments of Pride

Like many entrepreneurs, Justice’s path has been far from easy. Securing funding, building trust among rural farmers, and scaling operations posed constant challenges. One major disappointment came when he was selected as a World Food Forum Youth Representative – an incredible opportunity to showcase South African innovation globally – but couldn’t attend due to a lack of funding. “That was painful,” he recalls. “It showed how many young people in agriculture have great ideas but no access to financial support or networks.”

Still, these setbacks strengthened his resolve. “I realised Warm Nest had to become that support system for others,” he says.

Today, the enterprise grows through persistence, partnerships, and a belief that local innovation can change lives.

Among his proudest achievements was organising the ‘Future of Farming Meets Digital Innovation’ seminar, bringing together farmers, students, and industry leaders. “It was one of those moments where everything came together,” he reflects. “Farmers who had never touched a smartphone learnt to track their yields. You could feel the excitement – people finally seeing themselves as part of the digital future.”

Every success, every smile, and every farmer learning to thrive digitally reminds Justice why Warm Nest exists: to cut post-harvest losses, empower smallholder farmers, and open doors for young entrepreneurs in agriculture.

Justice’s journey from challenges to recognition shows the power of innovation, determination, and belief in local solutions.

Hope, Vision, and a Call to Grow Together

Over the next decade, Justice envisions Warm Nest Enterprise reshaping South Africa’s food system by reducing post-harvest losses and empowering small-scale producers to become sustainable, tech-enabled entrepreneurs. “I want rural youth to see farming differently,” he says. “Not as a last resort, but as a modern, respected, and profitable career. Agriculture can be the foundation for innovation, job creation, and hope.”

For aspiring Agri-entrepreneurs, Justice’s advice is to start small but think big: “Focus on solving one real problem, learn from failure, and collaborate with others. Every small success adds up to transformation.”

This World Food Day, he reflects on the bigger picture: “Every meal, every harvest, every small action matters. Let’s support our farmers, champion local innovation, and ensure that no good harvest goes to waste.”

From wasted harvests to a flourishing movement, Warm Nest Enterprise proves that with care, collaboration, and creativity, even the smallest seeds of change can grow into a harvest of hope.

Connect with Justice on LinkedIn.

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