Similar to digital devices want upgrades, farmers want data days to improve their information and abilities – African Farming

The farmers’ data day held on the Vleeschboom FPSU premises in Vleeschboom village throughout the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality in Sekhukhune District drew important curiosity from rural maize farmers desperate to be taught and get recommendation from numerous consultants in authorities and the non-public sector.

By Montsho Matlala

According to Kabelo Uoane, chairperson of the dryland maize farmers beneath the Vleeschboom Study Group, which enjoys mentorship by Grain SA’s Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) growth programme, farmers’ data days are essential platforms the place stakeholders in agriculture – akin to farmers, mentors and technical consultants – share and train others methods for reaching most yields.

“Electronic gadgets such as mobile phones and computers often need software upgrades to continue functioning efficiently. Similarly, farmers need farmers’ information days to upgrade their farming knowledge and skills. So farmers’ information days are our own software upgrades,” Uoane quipped.

Hot Dry Spells can Equal Poor Yields

Jerry Mthombothi, PGP’s regional supervisor primarily based in Mbombela, took farmers on a tour of a maize area on the premises to watch maize varieties planted on 12 December final yr.

Mthombothi suggested farmer to make sure that their maize crops don’t flower throughout mid-January due to sizzling dry spells.

“Hot dry spells disrupt the transportation of pollen to the silks or cause both the tassel and silks not to grow properly, resulting in no or little fertilisation. The bad results of hot dry spells are often poor yields,” stated Mthombothi.

He stated that dryland maize can develop with about 350mm of rainfall yearly, however in Mbombela they obtain as much as 400mm, which ends up in larger yields.

Also learn: Access to information, expertise and partnerships – Pannar farmers’ day turns maize trials right into a masterclass in farm profitability

Littering Hazard

Kwena Manamela, agricultural extension officer connected to the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, cautioned attendees about littering agricultural fields.

“Please don’t throw plastics and food containers or any other objects into the maize fields or anywhere else. Dispose of waste only in the designated refuse containers. Littering damages our environment and mechanisation in our agricultural fields. Pollution is a health hazard to people, plants, animals and the soil,” Manamela stated.

GM Seeds for Better Yields

William Mothapo, a gross sales consultant at Bayer, took farmers by means of numerous maize cultivators on the maize area, which his firm helped to plant on 12 December final yr.

“There are different kinds of maize cultivars here, all planted on 12 December last year. Some maize stalks produce two or more cobs, which is a sign they [are enjoying] the care that you give them as farmers. Taking care of a maize field should be the same as raising children. In this field, maize plants that are looking dry are 7565 and those that are still greener are 7677BR. We also have 7673R, which is a refuge.”

Mothapo brought on some eager curiosity amongst most attendees when he talked about seeds that may defend themselves in opposition to pests akin to fall armyworm and stalk borers.

Refuge maize is planted amongst pest-resistant varieties to turn out to be meals for pests, thus serving to to keep up pests’ susceptibility to pesticides, he defined.

“Our genetically engineered maize seed technology is so dynamic that you don’t need to hoe like we did in the olden days. We apply herbicides on the field and it will only kill weeds and leave the maize plants intact,” he stated.

“The outcome of all these advances in the science of engineering maize genes is all about better yields and good harvests,” Mothapo added.

Daily Temperature Warnings for Farmers

Romeo Mphahlele, a catastrophe and threat administration officer within the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the significance of contemplating temperatures and climate circumstances of the day earlier than going out to work within the area.

“Checking the temperature of the day helps you as a farmer to plan accordingly so that you adapt well to the weather conditions. If, for instance, there is a warning that today’s weather conditions are hazardous to farming work, you should take it seriously and not expose yourself and workers to the dangers. You should also take precautionary measures to [keep your livestock and crops safe] where possible,” he suggested.

Also learn: Growing the following era of farmers: Inside Ekurhuleni Agricultural College’s fifth annual Farmers’ Day

Concerns About Delays

Some maize farmers raised considerations about their major market, Blinkwater Mills, saying they usually spend lengthy hours in queues in Stoffberg earlier than their grain is attended to. They additionally stated some mill employees typically take a very long time to return and acquire maize from their properties.

Musa Mahlangu, on behalf of Blinkwater Mills, assured the affected farmers that their considerations had been famous. “Our good relationships should keep growing by seasons and we definitely take your concerns genuinely,” Mahlangu reassured them.

Sweet Reeds and Vegetables

John Segokodi, who farms conventional candy reeds or sugarcane on his permission to occupy (PTO) plot at Ga-Mabintane village utilizing a donkey-drawn plough, attended the grain famers’ data day.

“I come here … selling sweet sugarcane and hope to get enough motivation to diversify into maize or beans production,” Segokodi informed African Farming.

Helen Mafokwane, who sells greens she grows in her yard at her Glen Cowie residence, attended the farmers’ data day to reconnect with a childhood expertise.

“As a little girl, I used to help my father plough the fields with an ox-drawn plough. Now, as I get older, I want to get involved in maize farming and hope I will be planting a seed for my children and their children to grow a generation of mixed farmers of grain and vegetables,” stated Mafokwane.

Edward Mokete, a former potato farmer in Ga-Masemola village, now desires to attempt grain farming.

However, Mokete informed the viewers about his expertise whereas in potato manufacturing: “For emerging or black farmers to succeed commercially, you need finance, transport and markets.”

Local Municipality to Help Grow Farming

Eric Mosoane, a member of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality mayoral committee, inspired aspiring and subsistence farmers to proceed knocking on the doorways of varied authorities departments for help in getting into the world of farming.

“Young people should get on board as well. As the local municipality, we have the responsibility to develop the local economy, and farming is indisputably the cornerstone of every economy. The municipality is ready to offer support and guidance as far as possible,” Mosoane stated.

Traditional Leader’s Climate Change Plea

Kgoshigadi Malegobe Maserumule, the normal chief of Phokwane Royal Council, urged attendees to not let any of the consultants who shared data on farming slip away.

“Keep every piece of information you have heard from these experts in your brains, and most importantly, cling to their jackets. Ask them to teach you the [strategies and methods to manage] farming practices under inclement weather conditions that result from climate change,” Maserumule confused.

Also learn: Moletjie farmers’ day showcases sorghum varieties for a altering local weather