Lack of tools hamper farming
GALE NGAKANE
Correspondent
| Friday December 5, 2008 00:00
Kgosi Joshua Joel of Mmandunyane told Mmegi that the situation in his village is made worse by inadequate rain.
'I think the other problem is that the government scheme to plough for people is also not going according to plan. As you may know, the government was supposed to provide tractors for people who want to plough, but they have not yet arrived. Tractor owners, who were requested to plough so that they will be compensated later, are reluctant to help,' said Joel.
He explained that tractor owners, were told by Agricultural Demonstrators (Balemisi) that they would be given P100 for fuel and P400 two weeks after they had ploughed. But the owners are said to be unhappy with the fact that in the two weeks before they are paid, they will have to fend for themselves. 'They feel it will be unprofitable for them to do that,' said Joel.
Other than tractors, people in Mmandunyane are kicking their heels in frustration because they do not have some farm implements. Their high spirits are now dissipating because they cannot plough. 'Even people with tractors do not have implements like planters and de-stumping machinery. In our area, the only planter can be obtained from the offices of the Agricultural Demonstrator,' said Joel.
Kgosi Edward Habangana of Mapoka said his village is dependent on only three tractors, though people were ready to start ploughing.
'As I tell you, people in this village are at the lands. They have started ploughing. They are using donkeys. Some would have used oxen, but they are not yet fit to pull ploughs. The cattle had become thin during the dry spell hence they do not have energy to pull the ploughs.
'Perhaps in two weeks' time, they will be alright as pasture is getting better and better. This year Batswana are serious about ploughing. It is just that the soil here is not good. We have got clay, loam and sand. The good soil is the loam, but clay hardens after rains, and it is this soil that is giving farmers here a headache,' said Habangana.
The Department of Meteorological Services told Mmegi that seasonal rainfall focus for the months of October to January will range between normal and above normal in the North East District. An official at the department, who did not want to identified because she was not authorised to speak to the media, said normal rainfall usually ranges from 130-190 millimetres. A report from the department talks of an increased likelihood of normal to above normal rainfall over most parts of the country during the first part of the ploughing season October-December). The report said northeast is likely to receive normal to above normal rainfall.
Ironically, there has been little rain in some parts of North East. Kgosi Rapelang Khuwe of Marobela said people in his village have not started ploughing because there is no rain.
'There are those who have ploughed a few furrows, but all in all, it is still bleak here because of lack of rain,' he said.
Efforts to contact agricultural authorities in Francistown, Tonota and Masunga were futile. The head of the agricultural office in Masunga was said to be out in the fields while the telephone at the Tonota and Francistown offices kept ringing without answer.