WE the small farmers are elated at the recent announcement of additional support to mitigate the effects of the current El Nino phenomenon which is affecting all farmers and citizens across the country.

The many initiatives have been very supportive and it is anticipated that this new commitment of G$258 M will greatly assist the Ministry of Agriculture to sustain its ongoing efforts and to implement new interventions to ensure adequate planting materials, support for animals and make new channels to access additional water sources, among others.

Further, I would also like to point out that while the government is implementing necessary measures, we as farmers need to play a more responsible role in monitoring the necessary interventions to avoid tampering and wastage of scarce water resources on most occasions done by farmers.

In addition, there have been many instances where farmers have been negligent by hoarding limited water supplies by building dams within canals and other means preventing other farmers’ access. This selfish action by fellow farmers will only endanger the agriculture sector and all farmers need to understand and renew their commitment for the benefit and sustainability of the agriculture sector.

All farmers and other stakeholders need to collaborate to ensure the effectiveness of the support being provided by the government and its agencies. My community has benefitted from numerous interventions but the effectiveness of some measures has been reduced due to farmers’ selfish needs.

I conclude by stating that whilst government provides necessary support to farmers, farmers themselves needs to be more prepared for the many challenges ahead which will be churn out by climate change and other external  factors.