25 Aug 2014

Tractor operators in Mogorosi have been urged to put in practice new farming technologies in order to increase their crop yields.

This was said by Serowe crop production sub-district farm mechanisation officer, Mr Kabelo Mmolotsi during a workshop held at Mogorosi recently to sensitise tractor operators and owners on how best they should care for their machinery, as well as how to implement different operations on ploughing, planting and harrowing.

Mr Mmolotsi explained that for the past years, they had realised that the targeted crop produce in their district had not been reached hence it was worthy for their office to conduct such workshop which, would therefore help them and tractor operators to aim for increased crop produce in future.

“We have not been producing the expected target due to lack of knowledge on how best to perform and prepare the soil for ploughing by some of tractor operators” he said.

He was hopeful that the workshop would yield positive results in the coming ploughing season to the fact that the tractor operators would have acquired the skills and knowledge of the new technologies.

However, Mr Mmolotsi encouraged tractor operators to plough the fields during winter, because it was at that time when farmers stand a better chance of harvesting moisture in the soil.

He further gave an example of a demonstrational field located at Moiyabana which they use to demonstrate farmers on the practice of the new farming technologies.

He explained that during the past ploughing season, they planted an area of 10 hectares of sorghum and had a good crop produce of 22 bags per hectare.

“This is a clear prove that indeed new technologies has good produce when implemented at the right time” he noted. He also cautioned farmers that the country was striving to be self-sufficient in terms of food supply and that could only be achieved when Batswana implement the new technologies for better produce.

Mr Mmolotsi also encouraged farmers to add fertilisers on their yields as to manage soil. Furthermore, he explained that the Ministry of Agriculture currently assists farmers with the supply of free seeds, fertilisers and tractor fees through ISPAAD.

Meanwhile, tractor operators expressed concern over some field owners, who they said they lack commitment in monitoring their fields as some end up being destroyed by animals.

They said some farmers did not even weeds their yields. One tractor operator, Mr Boingotlo Mosimane applauded Serowe crop production district for having conducted the workshop saying it had enlightened them on new technologies making it easier for them to implement information learnt.

“We have been struggling to implement such new technologies but as from now we will be able to use them accordingly,” he highlighted. Ends