27 Jul 2016

Ambassador Masahiro Onishi of Japan says district agricultural shows are a platform for farmers to share knowledge and market, not only for agricultural produce, but also handicrafts.

Officially opening Letlhakeng Sub-district show on July 23, Ambassador Onishi said as such, agricultural shows should be treated as a valuable opportunity for exhibitors to establish a market as a collective effort.
He indicated that according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s agro-ecological zoning, Letlhakeng Sub-district was found to be suitable for small stock, cereals, legumes and fodder.

He said after completion and full utilisation of some of the ongoing cluster fencing project in the area, the sub-district could produce more cereals than it currently did.

“We need to ensure that all the cultivable land in the clusters is fully utilised. Crop production is the foundation to the formulation of livestock feeds,” he said.

Mr Onishi also indicated that due to the low rains this season, crop produce as well as the number of farmers who ploughed had decreased. He said drought also had a hand in exacerbating the water shortage, which in turn affected fruit and vegetable production in the area.

He however, hailed backyard gardens under the poverty eradication programme, which he said had already produced 134 beneficiaries.
He said such a number had the potential to influence agriculture production and eradicate poverty in the area.

Further, Ambassador Onishi advised farmers to practice smart agriculture to cushion consequences of climate change that bring about changes in rainfall patterns and crystallise into drought.

He said such practices included among others, conservation agriculture, timely weeding, winter ploughing and the use of greenhouse especially for vegetable production.

Also, he advised all stakeholders to work together collectively, saying that would help empower farmers as primary beneficiaries.

He also encouraged farmers to keep abreast with agricultural developments, something he said can be achieved through attending agricultural shows to benchmark and network.
For his part, the show committee chairman, Mr Jacob Lebeko advised parents to always bring their children to the show so that they also developed interest in agriculture at a young age.

On one hand, Mr Lebeko also expressed concern about the annual turnover of the community, which he said was paltry.

Member of Parliament for Takatokwane constituency, Mr Ngaka Ngaka appreciated Mr Onishi’s willingness to officiate at the show saying such indicated cordial relations between the two countries.

Mr Ngaka also hailed farmers in the area for heeding agricultural officials’ advice, saying the fact that farmers managed to bring some exhibits in the time of drought indicated seriousness.  Ends