09 Jun 2019

 

Government has directed the Rural Development Council (RDC) to devise strategies to instigate drought as a common occurrence.

Officiating at the annual Mookane Farmers Day, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said therefore the RDC was in the process of validating a national strategy on drought, a framework that outlined the incorporation of drought mitigation measures in the national development agenda.

He also noted that there had been a tendency of treating drought as an emergency despite the fact that  cyclic droughts had been around for many decades.

“The inability to accept that we are a drought prone country has delayed our progress and readiness to produce food under this difficult environment,” he said.

He therefore encouraged farmers to create an environment that would enable their survival despite the challenges.  He said  the country should adjust and adapt to the adverse conditions in order to cope with the needs of its interventions to minimise effects of drought. Dr Masisis also announced that there would be increased subsidy for livestock feeds from 25 to 35 per cent effective July 1 to improve  production in all agricultural sub sectors.

The president said that he was impressed  by the Setlalekgosi twins, Thapelo and Thebe for growing the agricultural sector through the annual event. 

“I must confess that I no longer have doubts about the sustainability of the event anymore.”

Dr Masisi did not hide his delight of being part of the farming community who were gathered at Rankgaphane Cattlepost with the sole mandate of growing the agriculture sector.

Dr Masisi said, “When I first learnt about Mookane Field Day, which was held in a communal area for a couple of years, I had my own doubts about its sustainability.”

President Dr Masisi said his doubts were exacerbated by the fact that the country had been adversely affected by climate change, which continued to impact negatively on agricultural production, resulting in successive droughts.

Therefore, Dr Masisi said in view of the aforementioned debilitating conditions he was in doubt that the event would grow to the level it is at presently.Dr Masisi said the farmers’ day theme of Integrating Livestock and Crop Production in Combating Effects of Climate Change clearly underscored the commitment of the Mookane cluster farmers to thrive despite the circumstances.

“Your agricultural exhibits bear testimony to that. This event is borne out of the desire and passion by farmers of this region.”

Speaking on behalf of the hosts, Mr Thapelo Setlalekgosi  narrated that they had laboured to secure the land for their project.

“It was not easy at all, we managed to secure the land after a court battle,” he said.

Mr Setlalekgosi said despite rearing in a communal area, they had managed to produce quality breeds of their desire.

“We had nothing at the beginning, after trials through personal finances, we approached CEDA through Young Farmers Fund to jump start our efforts,” he said.

Mr Setlalekgosi added that their initial efforts to secure funding from CEDA hit blanks as they were operating in a communal area.

“After a struggle we managed to convince CEDA that we were capable to strive despite rearing livestock in a shared piece of land,” said Mr Setlalekgosi.

He said with the support of the government, funding from CEDA, and sharing knowledge with others who had interest in what they were doing, it was possible to realise their dream. “We are the first to be funded by CEDA while in a communal area and therefore our dedication and perseverance has opened doors to other farmers in shared land to get funding from CEDA,” he said.

Mr Setlalekgosi said farmers could not survive without the support of the business community.

He therefore, applauded the business community for supporting Mookane cluster farmers achieve their dream.  Mr Setlalekgosi also stressed the importance of servicing loans accordingly.  “My message is that when you borrow some funds, you must pay back the money, so that other people can also benefit.”

Meanwhile, CEDA chief executive officer, Mr Thabo Thamane said since its inception, CEDA had funded farmers in Mahalapye East to the tune of P25.3 million.

Mr Thamane said one could accumulate wealth through inheritance, unscrupulous means which would result in one facing the wrath of the law or through the tried and trusted way from CEDA.

“The Setlalekgosi brothers have persevered through capital from CEDA,” he said.

Even though faced with challenges of drought, Mr Thamane commended them for servicing their loans accordingly.

“Last year we have managed to collect more than half a billion, he said. Mr Thamane said even though CEDA received only P200 million from government as annual revenue, the money collected from debtors augment their coffers. ENDS