23 Jan 2020

 Masunga cluster fencing farmers have expressed frustrations over poor rain in the area.

In an interview, cluster farmers’ chairperson, Mr Pius Mokgwathi stated that they had mobilised farmers to plough this season but it was unfortunate that it did not rain adequately.

He highlighted that after the 731 hectares land was de-bushed, farmers were motivated to cultivate their piece, adding that even those who had not ploughed in many years looked forward to  the ploughing season.

However, he said, ‘all is not lost because some farmers are still hopeful and keen on ploughing.’

Mr Mokgwathi said agricultural officers had encouraged farmers to plant crops that mature quickly such as beans, groundnuts and lebelebele.

For his part, the senior agricultural scientific officer in the North East District, Mr Thomo Rantsudu, said it was disheartening that there had not been adequate rain since beginning of the year, more so that farmers had anticipated ploughing in large numbers.

He stated that ever since the completion of the cluster fencing project, farmers were in high spirits to cultivate their farms.

However, he said, he feared that lack of rainfall would dampen farmers’ spirits even if it rained in the coming months.

Mr Rantsudu indicated that some farmers had ploughed in December; but their crops were suffering due to severe heat.

He said the cluster fencing on its own had been equipped with six tractors this ploughing season, which was an indication of the commitment towards this ploughing season.

The officer stated that maize and sorghum crops that were supposed to have grown to 1.2 metres were at 40/50 cm, which was a stagnant growth.

He highlighted that farmers had lost their seedlings to the ground because even if it rained it would be too late for seedlings to bud.

Mr Rantsudu said crops such as maize required sufficient rain to grow. ENDS