By Matsobane Manaka
Sibongile Maswanganyi demonstrates how the fall army worm can cause in a crop
“Management of soil as a natural resource is crucial to livelihoods due to its contribution to food and water.
“The importance of soil goes a long way in channeling the flow of water and nutrients to crops, physically supports plants, determines where rainfall goes after it hits the earth and protects the quality of drinking water,” said Frans Makhafola.
Makhafola was addressing farmers at Soil Conservation and Smart Agriculture Information Day held at Sekgololo project, Ga-Mamabolo on 23 Fabruary 2022.
Soil varies from sandy, clay to loam types and etc. Makhafola told farmers that there were factors that affected soil fertility ranging from soil erosion, soil organic, carbon loss, nutrient imbalance, soil acidification, soil contamination, waterlogging, soil compaction, soil sealing, salinization to loss of soil biodiversity.
He explained that farmers could reclaim the soil fertility. Makhafola said adding organic inputs and practising crop rotation optimised and sustained soil’s performance and fertility. Makhafola urged farmers to protect soil against any harm.
Farmers were also urged to always scout in their crops to ensure that they are disease free. This came in the wake of the recent outbreak of fall army worm that wreack havoc across crop farmers.
In her presentation, Sibongile Maswanganyi urged farmers to apply the necessary chemical in line with the instruction contained in its package.
The right chemical to the right crop can ensure the production of the good and high quality produce. “Production of the good and quality products in the reasonable quantities can easily attract markets”, said Sekedi Mabatha. Mabatha advised farmers to find market first before production of whatever commodity.
Farmers were informed about the farmer support programme in the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) that assists with seeds, fertilisers and other production inputs and mechanisation.
“Forms are available and require certified copies of identity documents, Pemissin to Occupy, certified copies of livestock certificates, and records,” indicated Victor Pilusa.
“The farmer support programme is in addition to other existing programmes that farmers can get access to including Letsema and Fetsa Tlala,” added Erasmus Ratau.
All individuals named in the story are LDARD officials except for farmers in some pictures..
