The District Agricultural Director of Bonthe Michael M. Kekura has told Awoko at his office in Mattru Jong that the district has all the five ecologies necessary for agricultural productivity.
He however stated that despite the growing enthusiasm to bolster agriculture in the area, there are only 20 tractors with only 16 in operation. 8 of these tractors he added are in Torma Bum and the remaining 8 in Mattru Jong, whereas the 4 others are parked owing to mechanical problems.
With the 16 tractors he said, 4,811 acres was ploughed out of which 4,035 aces were harrowed and seed harrowed for both Mattru Jong and Torma Bum. “What caused the drastic reduction in the acreage was because of poor maintenance of the tractors since farmers took the responsibility to look out for spare parts which are normally got from the ministry” he stated.
He added that farmers were responsible for the provision of fuel and other lubricants to keep the machine in order.
The Ministry operates a seed bank in which seedlings are given out to farmers at the start of the farming season. Mr Kekura explained that one bushel is given out to them, and one and a half bushel is expected to be repaid by the farmers, but there is usually difficulty encountered in the seed loan recovery. “Last year I met farmers who had been supplied 6,200 bushels as loan out of which we were supposed to collect 9,300 bushels. But unfortunately we were only able to collect 5,043 bushels. We did not see most of the farmers” he disclosed.
Asked whether they give out fertilizers to them, he said the area does not need fertilizer since there is efficient organic fertilizer being produced by the River Sewa, adding that for many years to come the area will not need fertilizer for rice cultivation.
Explaining about the constraints faced during these processes, he highlighted many difficulties ranging from transportation owing to poor road network and equipment needed for agricultural processes.
On transportation, he stated that no vehicle is available to take them to various sites where rice farming is taking place; and even when they afford to go they make a roundabout trip from Mattru Jong to Bo and from Bo to Torma Bum which he considered very enduring.
He added that the only short cut available is through the sea by using canoes considering it dangerous especially in the rainy season.
He expressed dissatisfaction on how tractors are being distributed, adding that there are more arable lands untapped and if there are landing crafts for tractors, those untapped lands will increase agricultural productivity. In general terms, he said, there are not enough tractors coupled with the retirement of tractor operators “we depend on the community to produce tractor operators.”
In Bonthe areas like Kwame Bai Krim, Moyamba, and Bullom Gbamanu are all involved in practical rice farming, but these places cannot be accessed because of the rise of the water level making the venture unsafe.
By Ishmael Bayoh and Poindexter Sama