14 Aug 2013

Farmers have been encouraged to cooperate with agricultural demonstrators to benefit from modern practices. 

Speaking at the recent Tonota agricultural show, the Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said it was important to cooperate with agricultural demonstrators because of the changing climatic conditions affecting agricultural practices. 

He said too much heat and too little rainfall recorded have been the main challenges that farmers were faced with.

Mr Moatlhodi, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly said when it is too hot, animals do not eat much and this affects the way they are supposed to produce. 

He said it also affects crops because they end up drying up and result in less harvest.

In order to combat the challenge, he encouraged the farmers to do a thorough research on crops and animal breeds that could stand the changes in climate. 

On another issue, Mr Moatlhodi said through the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development farmers would be supported with hybrid seeds, fertilizers, weeding, row planting, primary and secondary tillage.

Mr Moatlhodi further said if farmers produced more the country would be better placed in issues of food security as well as improvement of the economy.

He also said farmers should desist from cutting trees in their fields because they act as windbreakers, as wind could damage crops.

For his part, the chairperson of the organising committee, Mr Motshegetsi Masoba said the challenge toward the success of the show has been the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease.

He decried lack of commitment and support from some members of the organising committee, who he said were only selected, but never showed up during the preparation stage. 

Mr Masoba said the challenge they have been facing was collection of funds because by the time the committee was elected, the show was not yet registered. 

The chairperson said they want to expand the show by building modern stalls for exhibitors to cater for perishable products.

“Despite all the challenges, through the support of the community we will be able to host this show in future at a higher standard,” he said.

The theme of the show was, Transforming Agriculture in the Wake of Climate Change. ENDS