TOTUMA farmers to record bumper harvest after lean years

Despite facing financial constraints and bird attacks, the association’s members who planted are expecting a bumper crop, thanks to favourable weather conditions. Furthermore, for nearly a decade, most farmers were plagued by consecutive losses, leaving them sad and in dire financial straits. Many had to seek alternative sources of income, while others abandoned farming altogether.

The impact was felt across the community, with local businesses and markets suffering from the lack of produce. However, this year’s prospects look promising, bringing hope to the community. According to the TOTUMA Commercial Farmers Association chairperson, the group will celebrate the harvest in Tutume Selolwane ward next month (April).

“It’s going to be a moment of great joy and relief for our farmers,” he said. Pillar noted that many farmers missed out on the opportunity due to limited resources. “Some couldn’t afford seeds, fertilisers, or equipment, while others were discouraged by past losses,” he explained.

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Despite these challenges, he stated that those who planted expect a good yield, thanks to the reasonable rainfall and favourable weather conditions. Pillar attributed the success to the farmers’ perseverance and the support from local authorities. “We’ve had guidance from the different organisations, including the relevant ministry, and our farmers have been working tirelessly to ensure a good harvest,” he said.

Pillar cited challenges such as weed growth due to wet weather conditions and bird attacks, but attributed the success to reasonable rainfall. “The rain and heat were moderately favourable to our plants. This year, even though only a handful of farmers ploughed, they are over the moon,” he emphasised.

With the current economic situation, Pillar urged farmers to explore sustainable ways of farming, suggesting they revisit traditional methods used during former President Festus Mogae’s regime. “We should go back to the drawing board and revisit our farming techniques,” he said. The Speaker, Dithapelo Keorapetse, delivered a judgment on the allegations made by Moswaane regarding an influx of substandard medicines into the country.

After reviewing a dossier of evidence, including savingrammes, letters from BOMRA, and even a death certificate, the Speaker concluded that the Minister was guilty of grave exaggerations.The ruling did not dismiss Moswaane entirely though. It acknowledged that some medicines had been recalled,…

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