Africa-Press – Botswana. Farmers in the Kanye District are celebrating a bumper harvest following this year’s cropping season, as the District Crop Production Office hosted a mini Crop Exhibition at the Rural Administration Centre (RAC) in Kanye yesterday.
The event was held under the theme: Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Through the Utilisation of Modern Technologies. Farmers from across the region showcased a range of fresh and dried produce, including maize, cowpeas, melons, sunflowers, and dried melons. A panel of experienced judges from neighbouring areas of Mmathethe, Jwaneng, Moshupa, and Good Hope assessED the quality and presentation of the produce.
According to Mr Nigel Modisaemang, an Agricultural Scientific Officer from Goodhope and one of the judges at the event, a total of 68 exhibitors participated, but only 20 would advance to represent the district at the upcoming National Agricultural Show in Gaborone. Speaking in an interview, Mr Modisaemang explained that the purpose of the event was not competition only but also to evaluate and select high-quality produce that will best represent Kanye District at the national level.
“Unfortunately, due to the ongoing financial challenges facing the country, no cash prizes were awarded this year. However, we remain hopeful that the National Exhibitions will have monetary rewards for winning entries,” he noted.
Mr Modisaemang also commended the participating farmers for their enthusiasm and commitment, despite the short notice and the long hiatus since the last exhibitions were held.
“This was a mini-crop exhibition, and many farmers had limited time to prepare. Nonetheless, the turnout and quality were commendable,” he said.
While acknowledging that overall yields were lower than expected due to inconsistent weather patterns, Mr Modisaemang highlighted exceptional performance in certain crops.
“Cowpeas performed remarkably well across the district. We also saw impressive yields from the hybrid maize variety SC506, produced locally by SEEDCO. In fact, positions 1, 2, and 3 in the maize category all came from this variety,” he said.
He also praised the quality of dried melons (lengangale), noting their importance as a preserved food source during drier seasons.
“Though fresh melons were less impressive, many showing signs of damage from heavy rainfall, we were still able to select second and third place winners for the category,” he added.
Mr Modisaemang emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards during the judging process.
“Overall, we are confident that our selected entries will perform well at the National Show, even though yields were not as abundant as we had hoped.”
Also speaking at the event, Ms Kealeboga Tonoko, the District Crop Production Agronomist, confirmed that the district recorded high yields in cowpeas, maize, and melons this season. However, she pointed out that watermelons were of lower quality, due to excessive rainfall received later in the season. Ms Tonoko also underlined the broader importance of such exhibitions.
“These events are crucial as they give farmers a platform to showcase their efforts, gain exposure, and market their produce to potential buyers,” she said.
As preparations continue for the National Agricultural Show, the Kanye District remains optimistic that its top-performing farmers will stand out and bring home well-deserved recognition.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
