30 Oct 2026

In light of climate change and its associated challenges, climate-smart and conservation agriculture have become essential.

These views were expressed by Ms Motlapele Pheto, an agronomist from Letlhakeng District, during a recent demonstration of walk-behind tractors and basin ploughing methods at Malwelwe.

Ms Pheto appealed to farmers to set aside at least an area measuring 29 meters by 16 meters in their fields to use the basin ploughing method, known as “go kabela” in vernacular.

This method, she said helped conserve moisture, enabled farmers to achieve good yields even during seasons with low rainfall, as during the rainy season, water was retained in the basins. 

She explained that after planting, farmers were advised to mulch the basins, once the plants begun to emerge, the mulch should be removed and then replaced a few days later after the plants have grown to preserve the moisture.

Ms Pheto also recommended that farmers use wood ash as a liming agent to control soil PH if they could not afford commercial lime.

She encouraged farmers to adopt new technologies and skills to improve their yields while also urging them to preserve their traditional seeds, as they were more resilient to climate change.

Agricultural demonstrator, Ms Patricia Jakoba said the basin ploughing method had proven to be both efficient and effective.

A mechanisation officer, Mr Tlotlo Kootswetse, who led the walk-behind tractor demonstration, stated that the type of tractor was fuel-efficient, noting that only four liters of fuel were enough to plough and row-plant one hectare. ENDS