Baboons, monkeys terrorise NED farmers
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday June 1, 2016 15:25
It is reported that baboons and monkeys have been invading fields around Jackalas No. 1 and Tshesebe villages, destroying crops and leaving a lot of farmers empty handed. Interviewed on this matter, NED’s agricultural coordinator Nkaigwa Joel said the damage is massive especially in maize crops.
He said baboons and monkeys target maize and sorghum and usually strike at night and early in the morning when farmers are not around.
Joel said the animals destroy crops that are not yet ready for harvest. He said that the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is working around the clock to control their movements in the fields.
“There is nothing that can be done to stop them because just like other wild animals they are protected hence we cannot kill them. We advise farmers to just chase them away from their fields,” said Nkaigwa.
He noted that if it was not for the baboons and monkeys farmers had expected better sorghum yields especially those who ploughed late January and beginning of February this year.
“Unlike those who ploughed late last year, these farmers have better yields especially sorghum but it is of concern that their dreams of a good harvest are being shattered by the influx of baboons and monkeys,” said Joel.
He said when visiting the farms the majority of farmers complained about the damage caused by these animals.
He said the primates are tricky animals that monitor people’s movements in the fields and attack only when they have moved out.
He said some parts of his area which have no baboons and monkeys, are expecting good sorghum and lab-lab harvests. During the just ended full council meeting held in Masunga, the North East District Council chairperson Florah Mpetsane disclosed that some farmers will harvest little because their fields were attacked by baboons and monkeys. She said during the recent ploughing season only 9,126.08 hectares were ploughed and planted as compared to 10,359.41 ploughed in 2014/15.
She said in 2013/14 farmers had ploughed 17,338.38 hectares. Mpetsane said late rains contributed to this year’s low ploughed and planted land measurements.
She said as a result of poor rains, hectares ploughed in November and early December have not germinated well hence reducing the yield to 150kg per hectare instead of the expected 1.5 ton/ha.
She said this means that there is likelihood of food shortage per household.
Mpetsane challenged the Ministry of Agriculture to further sensitise farmers on new methods of ploughing.
She said there are crops that are resistant to drought as the country is dry land.