27 May 2013

Farmers in Makomoto lands are in doubt that tractor owners will meet the new Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) changes that are effecting in the coming ploughing season.          

They raised the concern at a kgotla meeting addressed by the Tonota south MP Mr Pono Moatlhodi in Makomoto last week.

The farmers said a majority of tractor owners will not be able to purchase the required machinery of planters, harrowing equipment’s and disc ploughs.

A farmer, Mr Petrous Mangole said unless tractor owners can be considered to be subsidised in acquiring the required machineries, they will not be able to purchase such equipment.

This, he said, will affect farming more that farmers have been encouraged by the assistance they get from the government. He added that of the few that will manage, they will not be able to help the more than 1500 active farmers in their area.

Mr Mangole said that everybody nowadays wants to make use of the first rains because of the unreliable rainfall experienced country wide. Another farmer, Ms Lerato Kgosidialwa questioned whether still in the new improved changes, farmers will be expected to pay the upfront diesel money required by tractor owners.

She said this has disadvantaged many farmers who ended up not ploughing because they did not have the upfront diesel money.            

Ms Kgosidialwa said for some, they end up making means of getting the money because they do not want to be left out. 

Responding to the concerns of the farmers, the Agricultural scientific officer, Mr Itumeleng Mabalane explained that they are aware of the diesel issues required by tractor owners but stressed it is not in their guidelines for tractor owners to ask for the upfront diesel payment.

He noted that farmers should refuse to pay such monies and inform their office about such owners.

Regarding equipment needed in the new ISPAAD, the officer explained that there are measures in place, which those with tractors can take to acquire required machinery. 

He cited that financial institutions such as National Development Bank (NDB) and Stanbic bank among others assist those in need of help.

Mr Mabalane however urged farmers to pass through their office for advice on which machinery to purchase before buying anything.

Meanwhile, MP Moatlhodi implored the farmers to take agricultural demonstrators advices seriously, as it will help them produce good yields needed to produce food in the country.

On other issues, he complained to the parents of youth and school going children for not being active in the lives of their children on what they are doing to earn a living.

He said youth in Makomoto are not utilising government youth programmes to improve their livelihoods.

“The government in an effort to improve people’s lives has set out programmes, which you need to take advantage of for a better living. If you do not do so, how then will your living conditions improve,” he asked.

He urged them to make use of the P120 million set aside by the government for youth programmes so that they can create their own employment and that of others.

Another concern he raised was that they have been reports from schools that some students are engaging in criminal acts, by stealing from others within the school premises.

Target items, he said, range from books and school jerseys.

He said it is the responsibility of parents to see to it that their children bring at home what the bought them, and that they know they did not buy should be returned back to the school. ENDS