Africa-Press – Botswana. A severe frost swept through the eastern side of Tonota in the early hours of July 31, affecting green pepper, cauliflowers, broccoli, maize and rape, among other vegetables.
“And we are going to experience a serious shortage of tomatoes in Francistown and surrounding areas due to the frost,” said chairperson of the Tonota Horticultural Farmers Association, Mr Pelotshweu Kenosi in an interview.
He explained that the situation was made worse by the fact that the southern part of the country was also running short of tomatoes after another severe frost.
Mr Kenosi said few farmers who survived the July 31 frost had tunnels, adding those who had frost nets were also caught off guard.
“They had installed their frost nets well on time, but removed them when they thought that the frost will not come again. Unfortunately, in the early hours of this past Monday, a severe frost swept through and that was it”, said Mr Kenosi.
He explained that in order to alleviate the situation, some farmers had no option but to resort to the indigenous methods such as tyre smoke to warm the air.
Mr Kenosi said the association was expected to urgently meet to map the way forward.
He called upon government to come up with a fund to assist farmers in case of natural catastrophes like frost.
He said farm equipment, such as tunnels, was expensive because one tunnel coat that covered one hectare cost over P10 million.
However, Mr Kenosi explained that there would be no shortage of green pepper because most of it could recover from frost.
One of the farmers, Ms Yaona Mokgatle said broccoli and cauliflower were the most affected crops in her farm.
She appealed to farmers to be innovative and alert, saying it was announced well on time on media platforms that there was going to be a cold front.
Ms Makgatle said she harvested all her tomatoes before the frost hit.
Another farmer, Mr Effort Gaboiphiwe, said he lost all his 350 banana trees due to the frost. Whilst Mr Kister Mogapi said 10 tress of mangoes were badly hit.
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