“Weather patterns are not going anywhere, but our focus, is on strengthening contingency plans for food security” these are the words of Thashni Manjoo, Farm Manager at Roadway Farms in KwaZulu-Natal.
She was speaking at an online Business breakfast session organized by Earthnews365, supported by the LandBank on Wednesday.
Manjoo says the focus is on getting carbon back in the soil.
She said proper Government policies coupled with allowances for adverse weather events such as the El Niño and or LA Niña, could better position farmers to protect crops, and produce a high yield.
Manjoo shared her experience of a recent drought and how this taught the farm to find ways of using less water and protect crops from the sun.
Selinah Khutso Ntjana, owner of Selinah the goat Africa, in Limpopo, illustrated how her farm was terribly affected by a drought. She lost some of her livestock.
She also agrees planning against weather events collectively and individually is an important step in the right direction.
Both ladies are hands on from planning operations right through to harvest time.
Pictures left to right: Selinah Khutso Ntjana and Thashni Manjoo