01 Apr 2019

 Arable farming typifies the life style of an ordinary Motswana, particularly in rural areas.

The community of Xhurube, a settlement in the outskirts of Gumare, are among those Batswana, who predominantly depend on arable farming.

They, therefore, embraced government’s initiative of cluster fencing and requested for the scheme in 2013, which birthed Tsema le Thata cluster, comprising farmers from Xhurube and Gumare.

Cluster fencing is a component of the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) aimed at increasing farmers’ crop production.

In an interview, chairperson of the Tsema le Thata cluster, Ms Keitumetse Salepito expressed gratitude for the project, which commenced in September 2018.

Ms Salepito said they patiently waited as they had always wanted such a project in the area because it was a region where wild animals such as elephants terrorised farmers and destroyed their crops. 

She therefore commended government for the initiative, noting that the next ploughing season would see their crops protected and subsequently a better yield.

“I just wish for better rains in the next ploughing season, I am telling you, things will be different,” she said.

The project did not only bring excitement about the protection of crops, but also delight about employment for the Xhurube community as they are the ones engaged to erect the fence.

A total of 60 people from the community have been employed as casual labourers and only four (4) from different areas with expertise have been engaged as fence erectors.   

Meanwhile, the 12 km project, which started in September 2018 and was expected to end in March this year, is behind schedule.

Supplies officer in the department of crop production in Gumare, Mr Gorelwang Monjwa said they requested for a two-month extension as they encountered challenges such as delay in arrival of some materials and shortage of transport to take materials from Gumare to Xhurube.

He said another challenge was the harsh weather conditions as they had to work under the scorching sun as well as the roaming elephants which sometimes destroyed part of the fence where the work was complete. ENDS