Optimism on the rise in Barolong Farms
Tumelo Mouwane | Friday December 18, 2015 14:55
Located approximately 70 kilometres south of Gaborone, Barolong Farms is a hive of agricultural activity, as farmers go about their business in a season they expect to be robust.
As one passes through the farming area, dams alongside main roads are filled and it is clear that the spring rains from months past were ample in this part of the country.
Five kilometres before entering Goodhope village, tilling activities are in full swing on several farms located along the tarred road. Tractors are sowing seeds and it is clear that Barolong are fighting hard to return to the former position as the country’s prime farming area.
The Barolong Farms used to record an average rainfall of over 500 millimetres annually, but with the decline in rainfall over the years, the cropping season has produced declining yields.
This year, however, tilling and other activities are already under way at Mosesedi Farm, one of the country’s largest crop production farms.
So high is the confidence among Barolong farmers that many have shrugged aside government’s advice not to solely plant maize. Many have planted maize and say the other hardier crops such as beans and sorghum are prone to pests and damage.
Mary Moilwa explains that she prefers maize as it requires less maintenance. She planted an early maturing maize seed variety, which she says is a lifesaver in time of low rainfall.
“I started ploughing my five hectare field last week after buying early maturing maize because the amount of rainfall has decreased,” she says.
“You have to be really prepared before you even consider other dry crops such as beans. Maize is not that challenging to maintain, but with beans or sorghum you have to be at the fields everyday chasing away birds and other animals.”
In Logagane village, Mmamodisane Mokoka learnt the hard way last year when she opted to primarily plant sorghum and watched helplessly as her fields were devastated by large flocks of birds.
“I am a small-scale farmer and this year, I decided to plough mostly beans and small quantities of maize. I cannot stand sorghum as I was harassed by many birds last year,” she explains.
The ISPAAD scheme, which helps farmers with seeds and tractors has kicked in, in Barolong Farms although some are still waiting for the government-sponsored tillage to reach their fields.
Whilst many farmers are progressing well in the season, activities at the Agricultural Research Department in Goodhope are at a standstill.
The organisation carries out agricultural researches in villages such as Hebron, Goodhope, Metlojane, Logagane, Mokatako, Pitsane, Borobadilepe, Ramatlabama and Sheep Farm.
The department has its own fields on where research is conducted at.
Principal technical researcher at the department, Tshepiso Motsewabeng explains they are waiting for more rain before they sow their trial seeds.
“When we went around we realised that many farmers had already started ploughing and some had already started planting the seeds,” he explains.
“However, for us we have come to the conclusion that the rain is not enough to start ploughing. We cannot plough trial seeds at this time as we are awaiting rain. After that is when we can consider ploughing.”
The department’s caution is warranted. According to Motsewabeng last year’s research trials failed due to a lack of adequate rainfall.
“Our trials failed last year because there was no rain at all. The crops we ploughed, especially maize, failed whilst they were at vegetative stage. Some failed at a flowering stage.
“Beans, which can survive in hard conditions, also failed last year and that was a sign that last year was tough for crops.”
Barolong paramount chief senior representative, Kgosi Mompati Marumolwa says Letsema has already been authorised in the district. Letsema is a call and encouragement by the traditional leadership announcing the start of the ploughing season.
“We have authorised Letsema. We called all the stakeholders including the crop production department and they advised farmers to reduce their reliance on maize,” he says.
Marumolwa confirms Barolong’s issue with pests that hinder their diversification away from maize.
“Barolong have a serious problem with birds. They believe that birds will invade their farms if they plough crops such as sorghum. They are still reluctant to plough maize and I am not sure if they have taken sorghum seeds from the government.”
In addition, the area is plagued by wandering livestock, which cause untold damage to the farmers’ crops.
“We have a serious problem of wondering livestock, which graze on people’s crops in unfenced fields. Owners of these animals often refuse to pay compensation to victims as they say the crops are supported by government funding and no one should complain. “We are in the process of setting up tougher disciplinary measures on those who allow their livestock to roam around crop farms.”
As bogosi in the area, Marumolwa and his officers are responsible for authorising applications for ISPAAD assistance. He says they have received ‘large quantities’ of applications ranging from farmers who want to plough, to those who have tractors and want to assist.
“We can’t quantify the number of applicants, but they are far much more than last year,” he says.
“I can assure you that Barolong have ploughed in large numbers. Most people began ploughing after the recent rains even though we suspect it could be a while before it rains again.”
The Barolong chief representative says the recent rains were experienced in areas outside Goodhope, where most farms have now been tilled.
In a bleak year, Barolong Farms is hoping to shine through the gloom and regain its former position as the ‘Granary of Botswana’.