Following climate change and a string of subpar harvests, including declared droughts in the previous years, residents were ecstatic about the rainfall, but their joy was short-lived because of the continuous rainfall. Furthermore, many people, particularly farmers, feel anxious and distressed as a result of the constant rain. In many areas across the country, flooding brought by persistent rainfall has damaged properties, roads and other vital infrastructure. In December 26, 2024 in Tonota village, it was reported that two bodies had been recovered from Tholotsane River in Tonota, following reports that a group of individuals was swept away by floods in the early hours of that morning.
The chairperson of Tonota, Tutume and Masunga (TOTUMA) commercial farmers association, Steven Pillar, told Mmegi that although they are happy that the rain has finally arrived, the constant downpours are also costing them. He also said because of the ongoing rain, their hopes for a successful ploughing season and an abundant harvest were crushed when they received the first rain of the year in December last year. Pillar stated that most of their members and other farmers in the area have not planted their fields yet. "Some of them have trouble harrowing because the soil is too wet," he continued. Harrowing is best done when there is some moisture on the surface of the soil so that the tines can bite and move the soil, before the ground becomes wet and saturated at depth. Pillar said other farmers are still counting their losses following the severe recent floods. He said some crops were washed away by the floods that occurred in some locations, making it challenging for farmer to replant.
He added that some of the fields' fences have also been swept away due to the heavy rains. Pillar also said because many fields are too wet for tractors, there are farmers who have not completed planting. Wearing willies (gum boots) to even walk across the fields is quite challenging, he continued, and getting a tractor to plough is even more challenging, he added. “In contrast to those who are broadcasting, and also in a better situation, the farmers who have started planting seedlings using tractors are struggling the most," he added. He said in order for them to sow their crops, the rain should stop for at least a week. Pillar said their cropping plan has been thrown off plan due to the ongoing rains. They could have long-planted crops such as groundnuts, which are in high demand, added Pillar. In August last year, TOTUMA secured a sizeable market to supply groundnuts and sunflower to some companies within the SPEDU region. Previously, Pillar told Mmegi that the agreement would allow the association's finances to recover and grow. He further revealed that they have sealed a deal to supply the same SPEDU companies with 800 bags of groundnuts (50kg each) per month and nearly 5, 000 tonnes of sunflower at a very profitable price. On other matters, Pillar added that because beans need sunshine to grow, they are delicate and cannot be ploughed during heavy rains. Furthermore, he said that even those who ploughed efficiently and on schedule are having trouble harvesting their produce. For now, they are encouraging farmers to grow crops that can withstand high rains, such as sugar beans and hybrid sorghum, he said. Pillar said in some places the floods have swept away all the access roads to farms and farmers are forced to walk long distances to get to their farms.
He elaborated that because of the situation at hand, some people are afraid to visit their fields following reports of people having been washed away by floods. He also urged farmers to be vigilant when visiting their fields at this point.
