16 Feb 2021

North East District farmers have welcomed the extension of this year’s ploughing period.

This follows a press release from the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security dated February 12, which stated that ploughing for the Northern part of the country would be extended from February 16 to February 28.

Tonota, Tutume and Masunga (Totuma) Commercial Farmers Association- Masunga cluster chairperson Mr Rex Mukokomani stated in an interview that they were grateful for the extension because it gave farmers an opportunity to return to the fields and plough, now that the heavy rains had subsided.

He stated that farmers in the North East District had earlier expressed their worry about the persistent heavy rains and they subsequently visited the District Agricultural office in Masunga to seek for a ploughing extension.

However, he indicated that it was at that meeting that the agricultural officers suggested that they liaise with the political leadership so that they could present their proposal to the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security.

Mr Mukokomani said farmers linked up with political leadership as it was suggested who delivered the proposal to the minister hence an extension of the ploughing period.

The chairperson noted that most farmers had ploughed but could not plant seeds due to the ground being waterlogged.

He said the extension accorded an opportunity to the farmers who could not plant due to the heavy rains.

Mr Mukokomani further noted that farmers would be able to benefit from ISPAAD now that they would be able to plant.

He highlighted that most farmers were enthusiastic to plough this season as witnessed this past week when tractors went back to the field to resume work after the rains subsided.

Mr Mukokomani stated that farmers who ploughed early were also facing weeds challenge, as they had grown tremendously to the same size with crops due to the fact that people could not weed on time because of persistent rains.

The chairperson said North East region had suffered a dry spell for years, which resulted in most farmers losing interest in farming, adding that this year’s rains resuscitated farmer’s zeal to go back to farming hence the extension was a shot in the arm. Ends