By Nape Masemola
Mr. Braam Crotze from SAMBATA Agri during the Oats Production Farmers Day at Mogalatsane Village in Ephraim Mogale Municipality
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with Shikwane Primary Co-operative (Mogalatsane irrigation scheme) hosted OATS production farmers day. Farmers from Mogalatjane Village and surrounding areas such as Phetwane, Kolokotela, Setlaboswane and learners from Tompi Seleka gathered at the Irrigation site to get firsthand information on the production and benefits of planting Oats which is not common among rural farmers particularly in the Sekhukhune District.
Outlining the purpose of the event Extension Practitioner Kgathane Swana, designated at Sekhukhune West Agro - Ecological Zone highlighted that the aim of organizing the farmers day was to educate, share information and exchange ideas with industry experts on the production of Oats, markets and benefits of Oats firstly as cereal as well as animal feeds.
Swana went further to indicate that although the crop is relatively unknown among rural farmers, its not only crop farmers who can benefit from it but also livestock owners as the crop contain high nutritional value to animals. The day proceeding started with a field visit led by Mr SAMBATA Agri representative Braam Crotze to Shikwane who took farmers on the technical production of Oats as well as its benefits. Crotze indicated that planting Oats is beneficial to livestock as it provides highly nutritious and palatable forage, hay and grain feed for cattle and contains high fibre content and balanced protein.
Braam went further and indicated that Oats is an excellent starter for cattle due to its fibre content and slower starch fermentation which promotes safe adaptation to feed. Oats production also benefits soil by improving structure, reducing erosion and increasing soil organic matter as well as suppressing weeds and absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen acting as a valuable cover crop. These benefits result in healthier, more fertile soil that can improve yield and support sustainable farming practices.
Presentations continued with Thabiso Manaka from Risk and Disaster Management in Sekhukhune District who presented on climate change, Its causes and adaptations as well as mitigation strategies. Manaka defined climate change as a change in average patterns of weather over a longer period and major causes or contributors of climate change are fuel combustion, deforestation, veld fire, waste management among others which in turn may lead to reduced crop yields due to heat, drought and erratic rainfall.
Manaka encouraged farmers to implement mitigation strategies such as Shed Nets, mulching, rotational crops, fire belts among others and check and record weather patterns. Melrose Ramokonyane presented on safe use of chemicals and hazardous products on farms. District Director Mafora Maboa gave message of support to Shikwane farmers and applauded the farmers for their dedication and commitment considering the long journey they travelled with the department until now where work is continuing and there is production. The District Director also appealed to farmers from neighbouring schemes such as Kolokotela, Phetwane, Setlaboswane and Mphane to start working and the department will find them on the way instead of sitting at home and just applying while nothing is happening on the farms.
