Berea, Aug 17 — As summer cropping approaches, Mokhethoaneng Electoral Division (ED) Community Councillor Mr. Teboho Tlali has encouraged farmers to practice share cropping system in order to promote food security.
According to Mr. Tlali farmers around Mokhethoaneng have agricultural fields, but they lack capacity to cultivate them and as a result they remain fallow, unproductive or lose their soil fertility.
Mr. Tlali highlighted that most people used to have livestock to facilitate in the cultivation of fields, however high stock theft rate has left many farmers helpless to a point whereby it is quite difficult for them to afford the tractors.
He further said high unemployment rate among the country’s work force is yet another contributing factor affecting agricultural sector, particularly in the remote areas.
Mr. Tlali strongly encouraged Mokhethoaneng farmers to reconsider share cropping system as one of the strategies they can use to promote food security by partnering with people who have the financial muscle, but under clear agreements.
He pointed out for past decades, share cropping system was among the most effective farming practices which was used in the country and people used to have enough food to feed their families.
Mokhethoaneng Community Councillor indicated that through such initiative of share cropping, together they can easily win the battle against poverty and hunger.
He added that agricultural sector is one of the pillars of economic growth in the country which can also contribute in job creation.
Mr. Tlali further urged the government to improve its strategy of availing the farming inputs for farmers in order to embark on early summer cropping campaign.
Meanwhile, Mokhethoaneng is one of the places in Berea district which have some arable agricultural fields, whereby the farmers along place basically plant grain crops such as maize, sorghum, beans and others.
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