RALIETE ON INCOME GENERATION THROUGH AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

• By Admin
• 15th April, 2020

RALIETE ON INCOME GENERATION THROUGH AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

Mohale’s Hoek, July -- Much as youth believe they have to be employed to earn a living, such is not the case with Letlotlo Raliete, one youth from Ntjepeleng in Mohale’s Hoek.

He has embarked on a piggery project, which he began in September last year with two pigs with the aim to produce and sell piglets as well as pork.

In an interview, Mr. Raliete said his intention is to increase production and operate in a large scale, noting that piggery project is worth embarking on as it is not time consuming.

As supplementary to such project, he has this year produced 100 heads of cabbage, which he irrigated through gravity fed irrigation.

Challeges with cabbage production, according to Mr. Raliete, is of buying hybrid seedlings due to lack of financial strength.

He added that, market is another challenge in that his customers are local community who do not buy in bulk.

Both projects, said Mr. Raliete are aimed to hit challenges brought by unemployment that hinders them from maintaining better living.

While on the other hand, another youth who is also on vegetable production, Ms. Mpolokeng Lesala encouraged the unemployed people especially the youth to engage in different agricultural projects, saying to succeed in such projects they have to befriend soil, supply it with necessary nutrients, irrigate properly and ensure timely control of pests on crops.

Commenting on the issue of unavailability of market, she showed that market is always available starting with the local community to individuals, vendors and traders, adding that what is important, is for producers to produce the best and advertise their products so they could be known.

Ms. Lesala said it is advisable for young people to learn from their elders and effectively utilize their energy on agriculture production for attainment of food security and betterment of their lives.

She called on the youth to work as a team in implementation of various agricultural activities, adding that they should seek technical expertise offered by officers from the Department of Agriculture in the district.

While another youth, Ms. Ntsoaki Lerotholi highlighted lack of funds as a hindrance for most of the unemployed youth, saying that they need financial assistance in order to procure farming implements, inputs and irrigation equipment.

She indicated that some crop and vegetable production projects fail due to destruction where livestock graze at the project site and therefore appealed for protection of such projects by community leaders.

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