05 Aug 2018

Farmers and would-be farmers on August 2 braced the cold winds to be part of the Southern District Agricultural Show held in Kanye.

The Minister of Mineral Resources Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Eric Molale and Mr Patrick Ralotsia of agricultural development and food security were in attendance and had an opportunity to view a display of field products and  livestock. 

Officially opening the show, Minister Molale said agriculture should be sustainable while adding value to economic development.  

He emphasised the need to have an agricultural sector that was technology driven and commercially viable thereby improving the use of land and taking advantage of modern farming methods to improve productivity.

“Agriculture is one of the sectors that drive economic diversification as most farmers earn their livelihood from it. Their mainstay of business is crop production and livestock farming,” he said

He thus appealed to farmers to spend more time at the fields and cattle post taking care of their production urging them to refrain from leaving all the responsibilities to those they have employed at the lands.

Minister Molale also requested commercial banks and other private sectors to assist farmers with funds in the event they wanted to add value to what they have. 

He also appealed to Minister Ralotsia to introduce schools which focused on training those who had the interest to venture into farming at the same time giving farmers an opportunity to empower themselves.

The show was held under the theme; Agriculture Redefined, and  Mr Molale said the theme  called upon the community to be relevant and practice climate-smart agriculture, as well as use technology to address prevailing climate change challenges.

He said the theme was also in line with the need to change the old system of ploughing by turning agriculture into business.

In his remarks, Minister Ralotsia advised farmers to be savvy by using weather forecast data provided to reduce uncertainties as daily operations such as choice of crop varieties among others depended on that.

He said this would help farmers to adjust to seasonal changes at the onset and being knowledgeable on when to change their planting dates to coincide with the new rainfall patterns.

He applauded farmers for their enthusiasm, energy and commitment and pleaded with the private sector to join in. ENDS