27 Jun 2017

As a way to empower Chobe farmers on conservation farming, Bio-Chobe together with the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security hosted a two-day training session.

Held under the theme: 'Conservation farming, a strategy towards improved food security in response to climate change,' Chobe District Council chairperson, Mr Paul Chabaesele encouraged farmers to work together as a team to achieve their goals in agriculture.

“As political leaders, we will meet you half way and give you the support you need,” he said.

Farmers were taught the importance of soil testing and to guard against soil erosion.

For his part, the head of soil survey and mapping in crop production, Mr Chebukani Fanani said soil testing was best during winter, and that the reason for testing was for farmers to know the right plants to plough and to use the correct measures of fertilizers to help farmers produce good yields.

He stated that conservation agriculture could only be a success if farmers took good care of their soils.

Mr Fanani also emphasised the importance of leaving stalks of corn after harvesting, saying it conserved the soil by preventing soil erosion during the rainy and windy seasons before ploughing.

Bio-Chobe project manager, Ms Rosinah Masilo-Rakgosi urged the agricultural department to help farmers with soil testing.

She further encouraged farmers to use organic fertilizers such as cow dung instead of using fertilizers, saying they were harmful to the environment.

“As Bio-Chobe, we pledge to help farmers with education and sensitisation on conservation agriculture as well as establishing groups or clusters of women farmers to help them start-up businesses to generate income while waiting for the harvest season,”

she said.

Chobe District crop production officer, Mr Zachariah Mmapetla urged farmers to meet government halfway instead of depending entirely on government.

He urged them to be proactive when it came to soil testing to avoid delays that might make them miss the ploughing season.

“As the agriculture department, we want to work side by side with farmers so that we help the economy of our country,” said Mr Mmapetla.

The farmers were pleased with the training and commended efforts made by the government and Bio-Chobe.

“We hope this training produces results and we hope one day we will be able to host our own agricultural show as locals to showcase our products to the world,” said one farmer, Mr Joseph Nkwane. ENDS