Ditsobotla – The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on farmers to embrace adaptive and sustainable farming practices as the province officially kicked off the planting season at Lolwane’s Farm in Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Ngaka Modiri Molema District, on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Held under the theme, “Resilience Through Adaptation – Celebrating the Harvest While Preparing for the Next Season,” the launch focused on equipping farmers with practical knowledge and critical agricultural information to prepare for the new season amid changing weather patterns and evolving market conditions.
The programme featured practical demonstrations and information-sharing sessions covering the agricultural market outlook, conservation agriculture, the El Niño phenomenon and the seasonal weather forecast. These engagements provided farmers with valuable insights to support production planning, improve preparedness and inform both production and marketing decisions.
Acting Head of Department, Ms Bothoboile Pule, emphasised the importance of adapting to changing climatic conditions and making informed decisions to sustain agricultural production.
“Farmers must recognise that resilience begins with preparation and the willingness to adapt. As we celebrate the harvest, we must also look ahead and equip ourselves with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate changing weather patterns, protect our resources and sustain production. Through appropriate farming practices and access to reliable agricultural information, we can strengthen food security and build a more resilient agricultural sector in the North West,” said Pule.
The conservation agriculture session highlighted sustainable farming practices that promote soil health, improve moisture retention and support long-term productivity. These approaches are increasingly important as farmers contend with the effects of climate variability on agricultural production.
Discussions on El Niño and the seasonal weather outlook underscored the value of staying informed about anticipated weather conditions. Access to timely weather information and agricultural advice can assist farmers in planning planting activities, managing risks and making sound decisions throughout the production cycle.
The theme reinforced the importance of planning beyond the current harvest and preparing for future production seasons. By embracing adaptation and climate-smart farming practices, farmers can strengthen their resilience to climate-related challenges while contributing to sustainable agricultural development and food security in the province.
The Department continues to encourage farmers to make use of available agricultural advisory services, stay informed about seasonal weather developments and adopt appropriate farming practices to improve productivity and support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector in the North West.
