Pulane, Ha-Moshati — In the face of increasing challenges in the agricultural sector, a renowned earthworm producer from Pulane in Ha-Moshati, Mr. Malebelle Malebelle, has encouraged farmers to adopt organic farming practices to boost agricultural production.
Mr. Malebelle made these remarks during an interview with the Agency on Thursday as he prepared to host a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition at his project.
He noted that although many people tend to underestimate the importance of earthworms, they play a crucial role in improving soil structure, promoting organic farming and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Mr. Malebelle, who started producing earthworms two years ago after acquiring skills during a training programme held in Johannesburg, said large hectares of agricultural land have lost soil fertility due to excessive use of artificial fertilisers, which also have serious environmental effects.
He explained that through the use of earthworms, farmers can produce nutrient-rich compost that supports plant growth. The compost also improves nutrient availability in the soil, enhances aeration, stabilises soil structure and increases water infiltration, ultimately leading to healthier crops compared to those produced using artificial fertilisers.
He further highlighted that earthworms are cheaper to produce compared to artificial fertilisers, which may have negative effects on both the environment and human health, hence the need for farmers to consider organic farming practices.
“Compost produced through the activity of earthworms acts as a slow-release source of nutrients for the soil, unlike fertilisers which become depleted after a certain period,” he said.
In addition, Mr. Malebelle said earthworms help stimulate the production of plant growth hormones that enable plants to defend themselves against common soil-borne diseases, fungi and parasites.
Despite operating in a remote part of Berea, Mr. Malebelle said he regularly welcomes visitors from different sectors, including researchers, students and policymakers, who come to learn more about earthworm farming.
Ha-Moshati is located in the rural areas of the Ts’oana-Makhulo constituency, where community members mainly depend on crop farming and livestock production for their livelihoods.
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