The Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane toured the maize harvesting block farming and planting of wheat at Seaka and Tele in the Quthing district on Saturday.

Speaking during the tour, Mr. Matekane commended the Quthing farmers for responding positively to the government’s call to farmers to engage in farming to achieve sustainable food security at family, community and national levels.

He commended the good work done by the farmers, saying that block farming benefits the owners of the block and fields with the production of food to feed their families and sale for income generation and economic growth.

The Prime Minister said there is progress promotion of food production through block farming and subsidy of farming imputes the launch of this programme last year and much development will be seen in two years, adding that the government will continue among others subsidies of farming imputes that include cultivation, seeds, fertilizers, insecticides and provision of machinery during harvesting of maize and wheat to make it a success.

Speaking at the same occasion the Minister of Agriculture, Food, Security and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi expressed gratitude to Quthing farmers’ response to the government’s invitation to all stakeholders in crop production to engage in food production, saying this has been demonstrated by block farmers and individual farmers buying seeds and fertilisers in large numbers.

Mr. Mofosi said Basotho have engaged in crop farming working in partnership with block farmers and individuals in large numbers, urging them to keep up the good work for the county to achieve food security.

Speaking during the tour at Seaka, the Technician of Pioneer Holdings Company engaged in maize harvesting block farming, Mr. Eketsang Motalingoana said heavy rain experienced during summer cropping has impacted maize harvesting negatively as the current maize being harvested was planted on December 24 last year.

He said this year’s yield is low when compared to last, adding that for the best yield during harvesting, the soil has to be prepared in time and cultivated for moisture preservation and proper use of high-quality seeds, fertilizers and insecticides.

In an interview during the tour of the plantation of wheat block farming in more than 150 hectors of arable land, a Member of Moyeni Agriculture Solutions Company, Mr. Themba Busi said a challenge the wheat is growing, and rains improve its growth to achieve the expected yield of more than 40 tones after harvesting.

Mr. Busi said Moyeni Agricultural Solutions Company is ready to Cover more than 70 hectares with maize block farming as the soil has been cultivated to preserve moisture, therefore expressed gratitude to the government subsidy of farming imputes and ensuring that they are accessed by farmers at the right time.

He appealed to the government to support the Quthing farmers with machinery during the wheat harvesting period in December as the lack of wheat harvesting machinery support to the district hindered the farmers in the district from engaging in winter crossing.

During the tour, the Prime Minister also inspected fields prepared with cultivation for summer cropping at the field in the areas of Seaka and Tele.

This is Prime Minister Matekane’s first tour of this kind in the district. Other maize block farming in the district is at Ha-Makoloane, Qomo-qomong and Ha-Koali.

Source: LENA 03/08/2023