25 Jan 2016

Recent good rains in the Southern District have brought hope and relief to some farmers who have earnestly taken to farming. During a recent excursion to the area, we caught up with many such farmers who in spite of the dry spell and heat waves that have hit the country continued to display traits of good farming.

One such farmer is Mr Kgopolelo Kgotlaetsho, 71, of Gatsatsa lands along the Kanye/Mmathethe road. An early bird, Mr Kgotlaetsho is among the few that have ploughed during the first rains and is now embarking on the clearance of weeds from his fields.

“I cannot give up on farming and reports of little rain cannot discourage me. I am now removing weeds from the crops lest they get chocked,” he says as he brandishes a hand operated hoe.

Other than preventing weeds from competing with her crops for water, Mr Kgotlaetsho says removal of weeds improves ventilation which in turn help expedite the growth of crops.

The 71-year-old subsistence farmer believes that it is God who gives rain and any other authority is subject to change and therefore not as reliable. Staying at the lands, he says is one of the secrets to doing well in farming because it gives the farmer ample time to attend to his crops as and when necessary.

Birds and small wild animals that destroy crops remain the primary concern to Mr Kgotlaetsho. Mr Nametso Klass, who is among the tractor owners who plough for farmers said the current ploughing season has been a challenge.

“The heat wave has dealt us a blow and we are forced to re-plough some of the fields,” he says, adding that soaring temperatures coupled with lack of finances needed to purchase diesel have compounded the problem.

He suggests that time is ripe for the government to consider setting up “seasonal loans” where farmers would be able to secure loans to buy diesel and other necessary farming implements.

Another farmer, Ms Tebogo Lesole who has ploughed 14 hactares of sorghum, beans and maize was happy that the heavens have opened up and was hopeful that she would get something come harvest time.

“It is a pity that although we work very hard to produce food, Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) pricing is not reflective of the effort we put in farming,” she says.

Ms Lesole has also called on the government to consider extending the ploughing period given to farmers in the southern part of the country beyond January 31. The January 31 cut off date, she maintains would inhibit many farmers from ploughing because many had given up on the idea of ploughing due to the unavailability of rain.

Mr Oabona Maruping also shares Ms Lesole sentiments, saying an extension will give many farmers a chance to plough. However, the Sub-district crop production officer for Ngwaketse Central, Mr Kebaabetswe Koti says any extension that could be done would not necessarily improve yields.

“The January 31 cut-off date is done to avert crops from cold winds that normally break out in the southern part of the country around that time,” he says adding that over time, such winds have proved dangerous to crops.

He says farmers should not be concerned about the January 31 cut-off date, but to use contemporary conservation farming methods with minimal tillage to lessen evaporation.

Drought resistant crops such as sorghum and beans are best suited to be ploughed during this period. BOPA