15 May 2017

Ms Sylvia Podise, a scientific officer at Tsabong Department of Crop Production says small scale farmers in her area of jurisdiction are yet to explore the commercial gains that comes with lab lab production.
Speaking in a Field Day event in Tsabong on Thursday, Ms Podise said her subsistence farmers were only aware of the forage value of lab lab to their livestock, adding that such farmers were oblivious to the fact that they could rake thousands by exchanging the fodder for cash.

“ I have realised that farmers in Kgalagadi are not  producing lab lab full scale. But are you all aware that half a hectare yields about 100 bags of fodder, that means that selling those 100 bags will bring about P10 000. That is impressive bearing in mind that we are talking about half a hectare of production, just imagine the gains if you plough more,” said Ms Podise.
In addition, Ms Podise informed lab lab farming aspirants to stand out, adding that the government is committed to meeting them halfway. She stressed that due to the high costs involved in lab lab farming, the government only covered 50 per cent of the overall expenditure of the trade.

For her part, research officer from Kang Department of Agricultural Research Ms Magdalene Kerekang added that lab lab was a summer crop, though the fodder crop is drought resistant. Ms Kerakang stated that the crop could stand mild winter conditions but normally succumbed to extreme cold conditions.
She also noted that exposing the crop to extreme sunlight compromised the nutritive value  and the quality, Ms Kerekang henceforth urged farmers to provide the necessary shading structure, at processing stage, for the delicate harvested produce.
Furthermore, Ms Sarah Dejee, a fodder producer, highlighted that she turned to lab lab production after realising that she was unable to manage the huge livestock feeds. An integrated farmer, Ms Dejee noted that arable and livestock farming complemented one another, adding that practising them at a go reduced farming costs.  

Meanwhile, Tsabong resident and prominent businessman, Mr Tshipietsile Mothelesi said he was saddened by farmers who sold their fields at an alarming rate. Mr Mothelesi highlighted that fields were  invaluable assets that had to be safeguarded for future generations. He challenged fellow Tsabong residents to desist from cashing on the inheritance of their children.
The event was celebrated under the theme, Practising Appropriate Technologies to combat the effects of climate change. Demonstrations on the effectiveness of climate smart agriculture, more especially the use of rippers rather than the old mouldboard plough to till, took centre stage. ENDS