11 Jul 2017

A total area of 87 590.96 hectares have been ploughed by 18 967 farmers in the Southern district.

Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Alec Seametso said this during the start of a full council meeting held at Tomela Chambers in Kanye recently.

Nominated Councillor Seametso told councillors that 4 080 of these are youth farmers, who have ploughed 17 256.48 hectares. 

He noted that field measuring had been completed and 56 per cent of farmers had been paid.

Cllr Seametso said some farmers have not come forth to complete the necessary paper work hence some certificates were still pending at various extension areas within the district.

“Despite endeavours to produce food for our nation, we however experience challenges like infestations of pests, incidences of fall armyworm throughout the district which affected a total of 1716.45 ha of plough fields,’’ he said.

He said doves and quelea birds also caused havoc to farmers’ crops.

He added that 20 quelea colonies were identified while13 were controlled.

About cluster fencing in Southern district, he noted that seven cluster fencing had been completed and the fencing projects have 304 members.

The chairperson indicated that livestock pastures had fully grown to maturity in the entire district due to the rains received.

He said all animal species are generally in  good condition and rangelands have significantly improved. 

Cllr Seametso encouraged farmers to start providing livestock with supplementary feeds for weight maintenance.

Farmers were also advised to reduce their livestock population to minimise grazing impact as winter season approaches.ENDS