Horticulture Project
During 2017, 118 people registered, but 114 (96.6%) farmers were active. This number comprised of 80 (39males and 41 females) involved in backyard gardening and 34 (16 males and 18 females) in the communal garden. Participants were assisted with seeds and fertilizers as well as horticulture training.
Project Progress
Twenty plots, each measuring 20mx5m were allocated to the beneficiaries and they planted crops such as rape, choumoellier, and tomatoes. The plots were supplied by water from the pond. However, it dried out faster than the previous year. To address water shortage, Skillshare increased the depth of a pond to collect more water from the rain. However, the water drained faster than the previous year. When inquiring from Water and Dams Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture, the advice was that the excavation had a negative effect as removing the clay/cement layer that developed over years increased water seepage.
One of the backyard gardens with rape
Tractor Helping Farmers
One of the Gardens lacking water
Testimonial
This project is really assisting us. I have made more than BWP 1,000.00 from selling these tomatoes. We all wish the water issue may be addressed so that we may grow throughout the year. We are very happy.
One of the farmers under horticulture , Selling quality tomato produce
Challenges and solutions
Shortage of Water
Water for horticulture is a challenge. The pond that was excavated in (2016) for rainwater harvesting dried up.
Pets and Diseases
There was a regional outbreak of white-fly and leaf minor (pests) which affected Solanaceous plants (tomato, green pepper, potato, and eggplant) from December 2016 to around February 2017. This resulted in the farmers being advised to avoid planting the vulnerable crops- tomato in particular. They were advised to plant leafy crops (rape, choummoellier, and spinach). The farmers who took the risk to plant tomato had a problem of powdery mildew (a fungal disease) and was assisted with the respective agrochemicals to control the problem. They were trained on how to use Fungicide.