26 Jun 2018

Kgatleng District Council chairperson and councillor for Boseja Central, Mr Mpho Morolong said Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) has registered low turnout this season.

He said during the 2017/18 cropping season, a total of 11 757ha was planted and measured for 3 296 farmers compared to 20 719.97ha by 5 659 farmers same time last year.

He said this showed a decrease in percentage and numbers for farmers and it was 57 per cent of what was planted 2016/17 same time.

Mr Morolong said the decrease in numbers was due to unreliable rains that the country experienced this season, adding that it was anticipated that there would be shortage of food in the district given the crop situation.

Furthermore, the council chairperson expressed concern about the amount of time taken to pay tractor owners following the ploughing season.

Mr Morolong called for the review of processes to ensure timely payment of farmers.

He said 2 468 farmers had been paid a total amount of P10.4 million  to date for ploughing/planting 9 027.91 hectares.

He said P3.1 million for 2 729.86 ha to 820 farmers had not yet been paid.

The council chairperson also said a total of 90 applications were received and 72 were approved but only 49 were able to pay either the 40 per cent or 60 per cent contribution under ISPAAD Horticulture Support Programme.

He said the amount disbursed per package for the projects amounted to P11.1 million. ENDS