26 Aug 2019

Farmers have been urged to adopt the precision agriculture method to improve yields and use new emerging technologies to ensure food security in a changing climate.

Speaking during a Climate Smart Agriculture seminar, on the sidelines of the Science Week, at the Goodhope Kgotla, recently, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) Lecturer, Dr Kenneth Mapoka said it was imperative for farmers to be educated on the uses of technology to address climate change challenges.

He said precision agriculture involved using research about weather patterns, soil temperature, moisture, growth, and other factors.

Dr Mapoka said the use of global positioning systems (GPS) sensors, drones and monitors for irrigation, were the emerging technologies that had proven to improve the quality of crop production and were utilised in developed countries.

He said the next generation of Botswana farmers would have new tools and opportunities because BUAN was the first in the nation to offer agricultural programmes that could contribute towards precision agriculture.

Climate Exploration Hub Agriculture Economist, Mr Puisano Ramosobatha advised farmers to adopt the use of hydroponic farming. 

He said this was a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.

He said despite the harsh climate challenges, the hydroponic regulated the composition of nutrients in the watery solution used to water the plants.

He said the environment on its own could sustain itself. 

However, he noted human beings and their use of gases was the main contributor to the climate change and global warming.

Mr Ramosobatha advised the farmers to use the dripping technique when ploughing to conserve moisture for the next ploughing season.

He also advised farmers to use crop rotation so that the soil was not used for only one set of nutrients. 

He said it also reduces soil erosion, while increasing soil fertility.

Farmers in Borolong appreciated the seminar and indicated that even though the technological way of farming was coming at a cost, it was essential for them to adapt for better yields.

Residents also praised all stakeholders involved in the national science week for bringing knowledge closer to them. The event theme was: Embracing Rapid Technologies for Sustainable Development.” Ends