29 Jul 2014

BCL acting general manager, Mr Morse Mosienyane says agricultural shows are a testimony of the important role agriculture plays in the upliftment of the economy.

Speaking during the official opening of Bobirwa Sub-district show on July 26, he said despite the unreliable rainfalls, high temperatures and prolonged droughts, shows were a deliberate plan of action to restore economic growth through the agricultural sector.

Mr Mosienyane said the sector represented the vision and the road map for turning the state of the decline to the path of economic recovery.

He said it was against this background that government took farmers issues more seriously and assist through various programmes and other initiatives to further develop the sector.

BCL, he said, believed in promoting and supporting agricultural shows by not only making grants by also giving them logistical support to ensure success of such shows.

The manager said the mine do so because it believes agricultural shows play a critical role in the life of the community where they provide opportunities for business community to network, forum for exchange and transfer of information especially on the use of appropriate technologies.

He added that BCL was about to build a plant to capture the sulphur dioxide to produce sulphur acid which in turn will be used to produce fertilisers for use by local farmers and at national level.

However he said statistics indicates that in the ploughing season of 2013/14, a total of 6 401 farmers under rainfed crop production ploughed and planted 15 802.47ha and 3 364.9ha has been harvested producing 66 666.27 tons.

Mr Mosienyane was worried that the statistics for the produce was way below the demand and urged farmers to ensure that supply exceeds demand through the use of new and innovative farming strategies in the wake of climate changes the nation is faced with.

He also urged farmers to apply new technologies such as the use of certified seeds, moisture conservation, and soil fertilization as ways that can be adopted to increase the yield.

Mr Mosienyane further stated Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) was another challenge in the area and was thankful to government for vaccinating instead of culling the affected animals.

He said for the government’s effort of eradicating FMD in the area to succeed, farmers must comply to vaccinations, as some farmers were reluctant to do so.

As for the measles disease affecting livestock he advised farmers to exercise due care as this was a preventable disease which can result in huge losses if ignored.

The manager also advised farmers to fully utilise programmes such as LIMID, CEDA, NAMPAAD, LEA and ISPAAD meant to cushion effects poverty and ensure food security at household as well at national level.

The mine awarded Bobirwa District show committee a cheque of P10 000.

Acting Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Shaw Kgathi challenged the business community in the area and beyond to thoroughly contribute in the shows because Bobirwa presents itself and has a potential to be an horticultural hub.

Mr Kgathi said it was high time farmers take agriculture as a business and reduces relying on subsistence farming.

Mr Kgathi also MP for Bobirwa said farmers should be willing to embrace new farming technics to produce enough for domestic consumption and for sale.

He said the show committee has a mammoth task of reviving the show which used to attract a lot of people and business people and should prepare well on time to attract such.

Kgathi gave MVA a pat on the back for their role in promoting road safety in the country and said educating youth was an investment.

Bobirwa district show chairperson Mr Monkemedi Dingalo said the area received good rains which prompted good harvest saying many farmers in the area produced good yield from their fields.

Mr Dingalo however complained of the showground which he said the infrastructure within the ground were in unsatisfactory condition and requested the guest speaker to be of some help.

The show was held under the them ‘transforming agriculture in the wake of climate change. ENDS