Farmers want zero tillage for profitable production
Tuesday, June 07, 2016
Briefing journalists at a field day in Mosi, Ramatlabama on Saturday, the association’s chairperson, Quett Rabai said government should pave way for adoption of the zero tillage farming system, as it has several economic and environmental benefits.
Zero tillage farming, also called no-till or direct drilling, is a type of soil conservation farming that prepares the land for farming without mechanically disturbing the soil through tillage. “Zero tillage can be a real economic boon to us as farmers as it can save us time and money while increasing our yields at the same time,” said Rabai, on behalf of 23 commercial farmers in Ngwaketse South. Explaining how the system works, he said the previous year’s crops, referred to as the crop residue, are chopped off and left on the topsoil. A zero tillage planter then only slightly punctures the ground to insert a seed. He emphasised that there are countless benefits to the land, the farmer and the environment from adopting a zero tillage system.
President Duma Boko and his government must now hit the ground running to deliver on their promises and meet the high expectations of Batswana. The UDC has pledged to foster a deliberative democracy, where open dialogue and continuous conversations are encouraged. This approach will allow different viewpoints to be heard and strengthen the ideas that shape our nation. The introduction of the long-awaited Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a...