18 Nov 2024

Farmers have been encouraged to embrace modern agricultural practices and technologies to address the growing challenges of climate change.

Speaking during the Temo Pitso in Mmathethe on Saturday, Mr Andrew Lapaan, from Kolobeng Nurseries, stressed that embracing technology was no longer a choice but a matter of survival.

He pointed out that the unpredictability of climate change presented significant challenges to farmers worldwide.

Through strategies and practices like diversification, soil testing and improvement together with technological advancement, farmers are beginning to thrive amidst the challenges of climate change, he said.

Mr Lapaan said the theme of the day; Attaining Improved Yield in a Climate Change, challenged everyone to be more innovative and to embrace modern agricultural practices and technology.

Adoption of these technologies, he said, was essential for improving yields in changing climate, for increasing efficiency, reducing labour intensity and ultimately boosting the profitability of small farms.

He further emphasised that choosing the appropriate seed variety helped farmers cope with challenges such as drought, extreme temperatures and pest infections, ultimately leading to more resilient crops and better yields. 

Mr Lapaan further encouraged farmers to also add value to their raw agricultural products such as processed food and packaged grains so as to increase the value of their crops thus creating new income streams and also contributing to food security by extending the shelf life of products.

For his part, Farmers Clan chairperson, Mr Omphemetse Mogorosi, who was the host, said the main objective of the Pitso was to bring farmers and agricultural stakeholders together to discuss improving crop yields in the face of climate change. 

The main focus of the Pitso, he said, was on teaching the farming community on the use of fertilisers, choice of seeds varieties and regenerative agriculture. Ends