27 Jun 2013

Drought and unreliable rains result in farmers shunning arable farming over pastoral farming, Tsabong sub district councillors have observed.

Councillors were responding to a brief by an agricultural demonstrator from department of Crop Production in Tsabong office on the significant developments to the Integrated Support Programme for Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) initiative on June 26.

Councillor for Bogogobo/Kolowaneng Mr John Lentshikang stressed the need for consultation with council before making amendments to agricultural organs so as they could provide councillors’ collective input.

His argument was premised on the grounds that Kgalagdi District is mainly a desert and as such recorded low rainfalls annually. This, according to Mr Letshikang, made it difficult for crops to proper and hence farmers opt for livestock instead.

Other councillors like Ms Elizabeth Ntwaetsile of Maralaleng/Kisa and Omaweneno shared Mr Lentshikang’s sentiments and proposed that government should devise other initiatives suitable for their district.

Councillors have rooted for deliberate efforts to improve and or augment livestock farming for both commercial and subsistence farmers. This is stems from findings and experience that livestock fare well in the district compared to crop production. 

“Livestock rearing has stood the test of time because we grew up with the knowledge that cattle and smallstock are the backbone of our local economy,” said nominated councillor Mr Albert Rakolele.

While conceding that crop production could not blossom in Kgalagadi District agricultural demonstrator in Tsabong (Crop Production), Mr Majafe Molefe advised councillors that collective bargaining would be imperative to convince authorities to offer a special dispensation to their region.

However, Mr Majafe explained that even though it was difficult to produce crops in Kgalagadi it was not completely impossible citing one farmer who produced abundant crops and supplied local primary schools with watermelons.ENDS