Ramatlabama Rain Fed Production and Training Farm: Moremedi happy ...

Ramatlabama Rain Fed Production and Training Farm: Moremedi happy ...
GABORONE
The coordinator of National Master Plan for Arable Agriculture and Dairy Development (NAMPAADD) says he is optimistic that the programme will ...

Only six of original seventeen are active

Only six of original seventeen are active
Dailynews - Gaborone, Botswana
By Ofentse Thwabi
Majority of farmers who were allocated plots at Dikabeya under the NAMPAADD project have not started their projects. ...

Official warns of impending milk shortage

Image via WikipediaRepublic of Botswana - Gaborone, Botswana
He also wants the dairy herd at a NAMPAADD farms to be increased to avert shortage. At present, Botswana dairy farmers produce only 48 per cent of fresh ...

NAMPAADD project uses coconut pit

01 April, 2008
The new coconut pit method is yet to be used for growing tomatoes and green pepper plants to upgrade the pilot project of the National Master Plan for Arable Agriculture and Dairy Development (NAPAADD) located at Glen Valley Irrigation farms. The coconut pit made of crushed coconut shell (Coir), would be in use for the coming three years, with effect from next year. The chairman of the Glen Valley Irrigation Farms, Mr Modisaotsile Moilwa, said the coconut pit would substitute soil.

The coconut pits are the best method as they do not have any nutrients, thus allowing farmers to feed nutrients of their choice. Soil in comparison contains different elements, which sometime could affect the growth of the vegetables grown. The coconut pit also has good water retention and allows for air circulation.

Having been affected by frost last winter, the project has made a big progress this year and selling to big local stores such as Shoprite Checkers, and would be signing a contract with Mr Veg soon. Mr Moilwa said he was hoping to get P300 000 this year, adding that despite heavy rains and other weather elements the project had managed to get half the returns compared to last years one quarter. Apart from the rain effect, the project is doing better than the previous year.

Also to be introduced is the green house, for use by July. Green house is a covering that would protect plants from all weather elements and pests.

He added that NAMPAADD used the trench method to get rid of crickets. The trenches are dug in around the field to capture crickets. Another challenge that affects the project is the irrigation scheme, which Mr. Moilwa said was not coordinated.

He said NAMPAADD used treated water from the sewerage system, located in the same area. The problem he says arises when the irrigation pipes bursts due to pressure exerted by water.

This problem occurred every month and often takes more than two weeks to rectify leading to vegetables' death or wilting.

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He added that NAMPAADD used the trench method to get rid of crickets. ... He said NAMPAADD used treated water from the sewerage system, located in the same ...