MEDIA STATEMENT
Att : ALL EDITORS
Media Houses
Date : Tuesday, 05 October 2021
TAUNG COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE’S FIRST SOIL SURVEY AND FERTILITY MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP SPARKS NEW IDEAS FOR CHANGE
Taung – Researchers, Specialists, Soil Scientists, Agricultural Advisors, Extension Officers of the department and the academic staff from the two state owned colleges of agriculture in the province converged in Taung Agricultural College from the 28th -30th of September 2021 for a three (3) day Soil Survey and Fertility Management training workshop.
The workshop was organized and facilitated by officials from the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in partnership with the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The workshop was intended mainly at empowering the workforce of the department who are in the field of soil management as well as the Extension Officers who in the main are the first contacts between the department and the farmers in the province.
The workshop which was 30% theory and 70% practical revolved around assessing and identifying different soil types, evaluating crop suitability and selecting suitable management and amelioration options; use of Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate resources and sampling points; taking of soil samples and interpreting the laboratory results and the use of field pH/EC meter to determine soil pH and electrical conductivity and use of Google Earth Pro for mapping amongst other things.
The practical part of the workshop was conducted in both the field and the laboratory setup.
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) was also part of this three day workshop. The ARC was represented by Dr Goodman Jezile who operated the mobile soil testing laboratory for demonstration and training purposes.
ARC has been working on this concept which could see farmers in deep rural areas and in far-flung agricultural communities receiving soil testing and analysis services on their door step.
The assessment of soil profile or what is normally referred to as soil classification using a soil pit was demonstrated to participants and they further shared core sampling for bulk density determination.
One of the participants, Gomolemo Morake who is an Agricultural Advisor based in Matlosana said the workshop was relevant and interesting.
Tel: +27 (18) 389 5719/5684
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“Everything was explained well and the most interesting part for me was when we were out on the field doing what we have been learning practically. Practical helps one to remember easily for future use or transferring the knowledge to others.
“In terms of relevancy, I would say it was relevant for me as an Agricultural Advisor because that is exactly the kind of information I must teach and explain to my crop farmers to get maximum yields of production from the soil,” Morake explained.
Her colleague Lawrence Oage from Brits in the Madibeng area was equally happy about the workshop. “I am also happy to have been part of this workshop. It was an eye opener and was really what we needed as we are working closely with farmers. I have learned that soil fertility is one of the subject matter which does not receive enough attention during crop production,”
It is expected that participants from this workshop will go back to their respective service points and use what they have learned to assist and advise farmers on the importance of soil health, how to analyse their soil’s test results and determine how they can best supplement their soil’s fertility needs without breaking the bank.
CAPTIONS
IMG : 2316 : Researchers, Specialists, Soil Scientists, Agricultural Advisors, Extension Officers of the department and the academic staff from the two state owned colleges of agriculture in the province who converged in Taung Agricultural College last week for a three (3) day Soil Survey and Fertility Management training workshop.
IMG 2399 & 2484 :The workshop which was 30% theory and 70% practical revolved around assessing and identifying different soil types ,use of Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) , taking of soil samples and interpreting the laboratory results and the use of field pH/EC meter to determine soil pH and electrical conductivity and use of Google Earth Pro for mapping among other things.
Issued by:
Issued by:
Communication Services Directorate
Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries:
Enquiries: Ms Emelda SetlhakoMs Emelda Setlhako
Tel:
Tel: 018 389 5684018 389 5684/ / Cell: Cell: 060 745 4020060 745 4020
Email:
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.zaESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
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Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
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Twitter: @nwpg _dard
