Late rains, Temo Letlotlo delays turn farmers off maize
Otlarongwa Kgweetsi - Phatsimo Kapeng | Monday February 5, 2024 06:00
In a snap survey of Kweneng District farmers this week, Mmegi found that many planted in just the last few weeks, due to the late onset of rains in the region. Many shifted from their traditional focus on maize and moved onto hardier crops, including a strong shift to animal feed crops.
Many signed up for the “new ISPAAD” Temo Letlotlo, but are yet to take delivery of the various inputs the programme is offering to the various scales of farmers.
However, characteristic of their die-hard approach, farmers have used borrowed tractors and the little inputs they have sourced, to plant. The rains that have occurred since the New Year have given many hope that all will not be lost on the fields this season, despite the challenges.
Khutsafalo Monankodi, Mammotlo settlement
“I managed to plough without Temo Letlotlo as I had only heard rumours about the programme. I heard rumours that there was a meeting at Dikgatlhong regarding Temo Letlotlo.”
“I managed to plant lab lab, watermelon, maize, sweet reed and jugo beans on two hectares using a tractor a few weeks back and I expect the harvest to be better from last year.
“That is if there is enough rainfall ka gore kgang tota ke pula.”
Gothateng Seoromeng, Tlowe settlement
“We did not qualify for the free Temo Letlotlo as we earn more than P3,000 a month.
“We heard of Temo Letlotlo through radio, and from what we heard we were not eligible for being offered help ka gore ga o nale pei ya P3, 000 go ya ko godimo kana o berekela mo go goromente ga o thusiwe go tshwana le ba ba senang pei gotlhelele.”
“However, we ploughed five hectares of different kinds of beans, groundnuts, maize and we are planning to add another two hectares of sunflower.
“We also helped the community with our tractor, slightly revising the fees from last year. It used to be P800 and now it’s P1, 000 (per hectare). Even though it’s like that, not everyone can afford and so here and there, for the sake of humanity, we at times negotiate prices.
“Last year we had a good harvest because there was enough rainfall at that time. “This time around we do not have that much hope gore re a go nna le thobo e e rileng, tota re lebile pula ke yone e ka dira gore go nne le thobo e botoka.”
Semaka Maeba, farm worker at Letswatswe
“Last year the owners planted sorghum, maize, lab lab and maize and they did not harvest anything and so this time around they have planted two to three hectares of lab lab and sorghum.” “The owner of this farm ploughs almost every year for himself using his own tractor. He asked me to guard his lands as he works in Maun.
“He calls on a daily basis for updates regarding rainfall. Tota fela gompieno ga se gore re solofetse sengwe gonne pula ga e yo ntlha e kwano, e kgabotse maloba mme e se ga sepe.
“On the other hand, agricultural extension officers never come this side to check on how farmers are doing and update us about Temo Letlotlo. We hardly said see them in this area.” Gadifele Khuba, Letswatswe
“We managed to plough four hectares with the help of Temo Letlotlo even though there were some complications. We were happy that our agricultural extension officer was ready to explain the guidelines and assist when necessary.
“However, we don’t expect anything at all this time around because we normally plough in November and December looking at the weather conditions of that particular time. “This time, everything was done in a rush and we ploughed on different dates. The first time was on the 18th of this month and a week later that’s when Temo Letlotlo’ s representatives helped us after completing all the necessary information.”