Farmers want zero tillage for profitable production

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.