Local farmers struggle with soaring temperatures
Chakalisa Dube | Monday March 18, 2024 06:00
The country has experienced recurring patterns of soaring temperatures in recent months. There are worries that the erratic weather patterns present difficulties across the agricultural sector, particularly for small-scale farmers who lack sufficient funds to address the impacts of unpredictable weather on their livestock and crops.
This week AR5 operations manager, Anne Schoeman, told Mmegi that scorching temperatures pose challenges to their businesses and will most likely affect their yields.
AR5, a farming company established in 1997 and based in Sherwood, has witnessed substantial growth in its horticulture division over the years.
With 240 hectares of potatoes under overhead irrigation, 16 hectares of onions under drip irrigation, and 25,000 citrus trees, AR5 stands as a significant contributor to Botswana's agricultural landscape. So far P100 million has been invested into the farm. The farm is also experimenting with animal feeds most notably Lucerne, Tiff grass and Sweet Sorghum with a view serving the local market.
Schoeman highlighted delays in potato planting and poor onion growth, alongside losses in fruit trees, as being caused by the heatwaves. The farm's efforts to mitigate heat-related damages include increased irrigation.
“The heat is very bad. We are behind in our potato planting schedule. We are behind by three weeks. The onions that we planted in January only have a population of 30%,” Anne told Mmegi this week.
She added: “We have lost some orange trees and we are losing the fruits. They are burning yellow because of the sun. We have started watering our Lucerne and Sweet Sorghum but the heat still burns the leaves brown. “We are forced to plant even though it is too hot. We will see how it goes with the Tubers in this heat.”
Similarly, Mario van Rooyen, manager of Kwadiwa Citrus Farm, noted challenges in maintaining soil moisture levels and balancing water tables due to rapid evaporation in the high temperatures.
“Because of the high temperatures the topsoil dries out quicker,” he said, during a tour of the farm last week. “As a result, we are forced to water our trees more often than usual. “We also have a certain water table that we must keep. If we do not water more often, the table will not be balanced and this might negatively impact our yield.”
Kwadiwa Citrus is situated in the fertile region of the Tuli Block area and was established in 2017. The Farm represents a private investment of nearly P30 million and boast 17 employees. It expects its first harvest towards the end of May or early in June.
The farm has about 40 hectares planted which is approximately 19,000 trees.
“We are busy with another expansion that will see us adding another 20 hectares which will give us about 10,000 trees,” van Rooyen said.
The Farm’s first harvest will be the Benny Valencia and the Gusacora Valencia oranges. Overall, the farm will harvest from 26 hectares from the 40 hectares that have already been planted with the yield expected to double next year.