20 Jul 2016

 Letlhakeng Sub-district agricultural show is billed for Saturday (July 23).

In an interview, chairman of the agricultural show, Mr Jacob Lebeko, said they were impressed with the strides that the show had displayed over the two decades of its existence.

“Ever since we launched the agricultural show 22 years ago, we have seen it improving each year. This is because each year farmers have something new to learn and are eager to improve,” he said.

Mr Lebeko however, raised concern at the reluctance of youth farmers, especially those who benefitted from government programmes such as the Youth Development Fund, to go and exhibit.

“The only time we realised a large number of youth farmers at our show was two years ago, but all these other years the numbers have been low. We are however, hopeful that this year the numbers will improve,” he said.

Agricultural show organisers across the country have been complaining that last year’s annual rains affected the agricultural output, especially field crops which in turn affected the quality of the exhibits and number of farmers that normally come to agricultural shows. Mr Lebeko however, said they have not allowed such an issue to dampen their spirits.

“I have been talking to agricultural demonstrators across the sub district and even though they conceded that the drought indeed affected most areas, they are confident that there will be enough quality exhibition,” he said.

In terms of animals, Mr Lebeko said drought is not an issue as exhibits are normally identified well in time, fed and groomed in preparations for the show. He said overall he is happy with the interest showed by farmers in the area in coming to participate at the show.

Mr Lebeko also advised farmers that it is important to take agricultural shows seriously as they belong to them. “They should know that the purpose of agricultural shows is not to win prizes, but to market themselves and learn from each other,” he said.

He also urged other beneficiaries of government initiatives such as those of poverty eradication to participate in the show and showcase the success of government initiatives.

Activities of the show will start with a beauty pageant on Friday, and then Saturday where the main attraction will be the much loved horse racing event which will be graced by jockeys from as far as Kokotsha in the Kgalagadi District, as well as other activities like soccer.

Ambassador Masahiro Onishi of Japan would perform the official opening.

The activities will wrap up with a music concert on Saturday evening. ENDS