Botswana: Persistent Heavy Falls Disadvantaged Farmers

Masunga — Consistent heavy rainfall in the North East District has been described as an impediment to farmers willing to plough this season. In an interview with BOPA, principal technical officer in the Department of Crop Production, Mr Innocent Nanga stated that many farmers were looking forward to cultivating their land, but the heavy showers received since December disadvantaged them. He highlighted that in some areas it rained above 50 millimetres daily, which brought about water clogging in fields, hence making it impossible for tractors to cultivate the soil. The officer stated that rainfall was a necessity in farming, but only a certain amount and rain was suitable for ploughing. Mr Nanga said the soil quality in the North East District demands that heavy rainfall should atleast be received at seven days interval rather than continuously in order to allow for the soil to 'breath'. The officer said some farmers had attempted to plough this month, however their tractors got ...