Agrinews December 2012 - Ministry of Agriculture

ace in Vegetable Productionreveals that in the following year,production was not satisfactorybecause of water shortage, butthis year 2012, things started toimprove. The junior certificateholder attributes all this to theeffects of climate change assometimes weather conditionsbecome extreme. He says thatwhen winter comes it is too coldthe same as high temperaturesin summer.He has challenges of pests thatinvade his backyard garden. Headds that the most common areAphids and birds. Sometimes,water is also a cause for concernstating that the previous twoweeks (at the time of theinterview with Agrinews), werenot ones to remember as hiscrops went for days withoutirrigation.For one to prosper in anybusiness enterprise they musthave full interest in what theydo, reveals Musindi. “Theymust also be passionate anddetermined to do well.” Heposits that everyone is gifted, butit is just for one to go out andsearch for what their talents are.He also encourages youthto go out and venture intoagricultural projects, moreso,that the government has rolledout a number of initiatives likeLIMID, ISPAAD, Young FarmersFund, CEDA and others. He saysthat Batswana must be able tofeed themselves, even export andstop dependency on governmenthandouts. He opines that thereis plenty of land and water forpeople to start self sustainanceprojects.Musindi grows cabbages,rape, tomatoes, spinach, choliaamongst others in his backyardgarden. He aspires to one daysee himself owning a big farm,employing a good number ofLesoma residents. He started theproject with the little savings hemade when he worked for theSafari company.67December m 2012