Bad weather hampers crop production in Botswana

Acting Minister of Agriculture Patrick Pule Ralotsia confirmed Tuesday Botswana's crop production is evolving to be a very bad one while addressing the media.

Ralotsia said currently in most parts of Botswana crops are already showing signs of total failure due to stunted growth while other reached permanent wilting point due to the prolonged dry spell caused by the heat waves which engulfed the country

Due to previous 2013/14 cropping season, 417,000 hectares were ploughed and planted by 127,511 farmers while this year 2014/15 areas planted is far below the previous season.

The minister also suggested farmers to destock, sell cows, oxen while they are still in good condition to attract good price and also save whatever crop residue they may have to feed their livestock since the country is experiencing unfavourable weather.

The minister also stated, in improving the diary farm in Botswana they have leased National Plan for Arable Agriculture and Diary Farming (NAMPAD) diary farm to private sectors, where 97 pregnant diary cows arrived in the country and already 35 have calved and are being milked.

Further support to the sub-sector by the ministry, 136 straws of sexed semen for diary production through artificial insemination service have been purchased which it is believed to increase significantly because most of the calves born will be female. Endi