09 Nov 2014

Farmers in Mmathethe area have applauded Seed-co, a farming inputs supplying company, for bringing services closer to them.

In one of the farmers’ meetings at Kanngwe near Mmathethe, SEED-CO promised farmers that they will erect a one-stop facility in Mmathethe to serve them once the ploughing season starts and they have not disappointed.

Farmers said the development will go a long way in augmenting agricultural throughout the rainy season as farmers will be spared challenges they have had to undergo to acquire inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.

During the previous season, farmers had to bear the high costs of travelling to Kanye and Pitsane to acquire seeds and fertilisers.Mr Raymond Ramasankate of Lokabane land says the initiative is encouraging especially to subsistence farmers sponsored under the ISPAAD programme and will most likely lure many Batswana into farming thereby amplify the country food security.

“Unlike in the past where unavailability of inputs were a letdown because we had to acquire them from far-flung places and at worst leaving many in the lurch and unable to plough I foresee an influx of farmers that will surely culminate in increased hectorage ploughed,” he states exuding excitement.

This time around Mr Ramasankate mentions acquisition of both seeds and fertilisers is going smoothly adding that even the smallest farmer is able to use even donkey cards to collect such inputs.

He relays it is now upon the farmers to seize the moment and play their part by ensuring such efforts bear fruits. That withstanding, Mr Ramasankate decries low prices farmers are subjected to by Botswana Marketing Board which he says deprive farmers to break-even.

He wondered how small farmers can make profit if BAMB buy a bag of maize from them at a paltry P83 while it (BAMB) expects the farmer to part with a whooping P160 to purchase the same.

“I have resolved to keep forty such bags to look for an alternative market among others selling them to feedlots and poultry workers at a profit,” he says. Another farmer, Mr Dickson Ramagang of Mongweotsile lands had one word to describe the service rendered to him by SEED-CO; “Excellent”.

He is particularly elated by the 5:0:6 maize seed variety which he says takes only months to mature. Ms Dimakatso Mathiba, a sales person at SEED-CO, believes the gesture is an answer to many farmers who had a hard time acquiring such services in the past.

At this early stage of ploughing, Ms Mathiba has attended to over forty ISPAAD farmers and was looking forward to receiving more.

His fellow worker at the Mmathethe office, Mr Peo Balone farmers are coming in their aim as SEED-CO that other than the logistical challenges that they get to face here and there, his company intends to ensure that as many people get all the necessary farming inputs and catch the early rains. 

Asked how SEED-CO intends to cater for the farming community at farms, Mr Balone says plans are in place to reach them. ENDS