A farmers’ day with a focus on sorghum was held in Ga-Mphela, Moletjie, this week – hosted by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The event brought together farmers within the Capricorn North Western Agro-Ecological Zone, researchers and extension officers.
Presentations focused on improving subsistence field crop production, progress in sorghum multi-location trials, and the role of indigenous cereals in supporting food and nutritional security.
A highlight was a field walk through sorghum trial plots. Fourteen cultivars are being evaluated over a three-year period to identify high-performing, climate-resilient varieties suited to conditions in Moletjie.
Also read: Why sorghum is a good crop, and how to better grow it!
Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture
Farmers received practical guidance on climate-smart agriculture. Topics included selecting cultivars suited to changing climatic conditions, managing pests and diseases, applying crop rotation or mixed farming systems, using natural fertilisers instead of synthetic inputs, and adopting drought-tolerant crops.
Nora Mphela, the host farmer, said initiatives like these can help alleviate poverty and unemployment, improve yields, and strengthen farmer morale and commitment to sustainable food production.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the department to support sustainable farming and improve food security in the province.
Also read: Crop production: Sorghum can play a stabilising role
