23 Jul 2015

Farmers have been urged to use new technologies to deal with changing climatic conditions that adversely affect yields.

Officially opening the Tonota Sub-district Trade Fair over the long weekend, the Minister of Agriculture Mr Patrick Ralotsia said the drastic change in climate calls for farmers to adopt new ways of farming such as artificial insemination, row planting and the use of hybrid seeds as they bring better yields.

He said the fair provided a platform for farmers to exchange ideas and learn from various service providers such as agricultural demonstrators.

He urged them to heed the advice of agricultural demonstrators. Minister Ralotsia encouraged them to visit his ministry to seek information so as to be adequately equipped to improve food production.

He said that his ministry was well resourced to help farmers, and said that it would pain him for them to return unused funds at the end of the financial year.

He advised them to acquaint themselves well with government agricultural programmes to improve yields, adding that the sector was a leading employment creator.

Furthermore, he encouraged parents to hand over their unused farms to youths as it was evident that some youths have a passion for farming.

For his part, Tonota Sub council chairperson Colonel Anderson Moalosi said through empowerment initiatives such as trade shows, the country can become self-sufficient and even feed the outside world.

“There is a lot of potential, especially amongst the youths. I am truly encouraged to see youths attending such shows in high numbers.

They have displayed some of their products. I therefore encourage other youths who have not used the youth programmes availed by government to do so,” he said.

The secretary of the show committee Mr Motshegetsi Masoba said they have managed to paint and roof the building within the show grounds despite most members dropping out of the committee.

Although the show ground occupies a 17 hectare piece of land, only a few exhibitors came.

The show was held under the theme, Transforming Agriculture in the Wake of Climatic Change. Ends