Africa-Press – Botswana. Pandamatenga agro industry has registered a record tonnage of sorghum and cowpeas planted, thanks to the good rains and favourable weather conditions.
Projections for sorghum to be harvested this year is about 70 000 tonnes, said Pandamatenga Commercial Farmers Association vice chairperson, Mr Ryan Neal.
Last year Pandamatenga harvested 26 000 tonnes in total (all crops).
Sorghum was abot 15 000 tonnes while cowpeas was 828.9 tonnes.
However Mr Neal explained to BOPA that should the weather continue to be favourable, the sorghum produced by Pandamatenga farmers would be able to feed Botswana until the next ploughing season.
He advised that millers should be made aware of the amount of harvest expected, adding that as much as it was advisable for millers to source sorghum from local farmers, it would be honorable for latter to ensure they sold their produce to Batswana first rather than exporting.
He said that the newly opened 60 000 metric tonne Pandamatenga silos were an opportunity for farmers to produce more hence challenged Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board who are the custodian of the infrastructure to expedite payments.
Mr Neal expressed gratitude to government for an efficient water drainage system that was installed seven years ago and that prevented water logging in farms after heavy rains.
He said pests were not so much of a problem as it was the case in the Central and Southern parts of Botswana but stated that there were cases of armyworm in some farms and advised farmers to use registered chemicals that fight armyworm precautionary instead of reactively.
Mr Neal said even though Pandamatenga was surrounded by thick forests, quelea birds had not caused any problems for them and were believed to be feeding from the sundry grass in the forests.
He welcomed President Advocate Duma Boko’s pronouncement for Botswana to produce hemp for industrial and medical purposes.
This, Mr Neal said was a huge opportunity for Batswana to expand their horizons in agriculture as the crop could be cultivated on many different soil types.
“Hemp is a new product even in many countries but it is important to look at its characteristics as farmers and adhere to the licensing and regulations once government avails them,” he said.
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