Mahikeng: The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says farmers must put in place appropriate measures in dealing with weather conditions usually associated with the July to September season, in an effort to prevent losses that might become threats to their agricultural production.
According to the Department’s Disaster Risk Management unit, there are enhanced probabilities of above normal maximum temperatures and below normal minimum temperatures expected for most parts of the province during the said period.
“With the above forecast in mind, the department advices farmers to plan their farming activities in accordance with the weather conditions,” advised Dr Poncho Mokaila, Chief aDirector for Agricultural Support Services in the Department.
For livestock farming, farmers are advised to monitor and control animal diseases before and during rainy days, by providing feed supplements such as licks especially for pregnant animals. The other mechanism for livestock farmers in relation to grazing, is to prevent veldt fires that destroy valuable grazing, by erecting fire belts as required by the law (Chapter 4 of the National Veldt and Forest fire Act 101 of 1998).
Equally, crop farmers are advised to choose suitable soil type for winter crop and roughen the soil surface to minimize evaporation. Dr Mokaila says the other sustainable factor with regard to irrigation farming is that farmers can consider irrigating late in the day to limit evaporation.
"It is also critically advisable for farmers to re-use water and retain high quality. Farmers must avoid over irrigation because that creates problems like water logging and diseases," warned Dr Mokaila of Agricultural Support Services who also advices farmers to use irrigation water sparingly and adhere to water restrictions.
Mokaila further urges farmers to remove all weeds containing seeds, and keep other vegetative rests on the land as this reduces evaporation. Farmers are furthermore, warned to be on the lookout for invader plants that could be hazardous to their livestock when grazing.
The MEC responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Boitumelo Tshwene encourages farmers to ensure that agricultural activities in the province are not harmed by putting into practice advises issued by the department, and that they must always update Extension Officers about any developments in so far as their activities are concerned. He also urges farming communities to be on the lookout for daily extreme weather warnings and act accordingly.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana (Ms)
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Source: North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
