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The Minister of Agriculture and land reclamation Mr. Vova Bulane says the
Government partnership in summer cropping is meant to fight hunger in the
country. Speaking at a one-day meeting held between members of parliament
for Quthing
constituencies and district agricultural officers to share ideas on
strategies to be used to support government partnership, Mr. Bulane said
farming committees have to be established with chiefs, representatives of
members of parliament, farmers and agricultural officers for successful
summer cropping
He said the committees from village level will among others, be responsible
for coordinating activities with district office and distribution of farming
inputs such as manure and seeds to ensure that they get to the right people
who have registered for partnership with the government in summer cropping.
He added that farmers would only be expected to pay half to the expenses
after harvesting.
Speaking at the same occasion, the District Agricultural Officer (DAO) Mr.
Mosiuoa Mosiuoa said summer cropping has started in the mountain areas of
the district and it is expected to be completed on September 30th while in
the low lands it is expected to start in October until December. He said the
summer cropping would be successful if farmers could respond by registering
with department of agriculture for their fields to be ploughed while
tractors and oxen owners are expected register for ploughing to make the
process a success.
He said the policy of the department of agriculture is to encourage farmers
to grow crops for income generation and to have enough food to feed their
families, adding that it is only through unity Basotho can achieve that
goal. Members of parliament for Quthing constituencies expressed their
gratitude for department of agriculture for organizing the meeting in
collaboration with the District secretary, adding that it will never be
difficult to solve any problems in connection with summer cropping as the
plans to undertake the work have been done jointly.
This was the first meeting of its kind to be held by DAO, members of
parliament and District secretary meant to plan for successful government
partnership in summer cropping.
18 September,2002
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