Rural & Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP).

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the opening of the Botswana Agriculture Roundtable gathering. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the room hummed with the collective energy of farmers, experts, and enthusiasts. We had meticulously planned this event—a platform to discuss sustainable practices, innovation, and the future of agriculture in our community. FNB Botswana and LEA (Local Enterprise Authority) had pledged their support. Their promises echoed in my mind as I welcomed participants, my heart swelling with gratitude. These institutions, pillars of our economy, recognized the importance of our cause. They assured us of their presence, their presentations, and even promised to provide food for the attendees. But then, like a sudden gust extinguishing a candle, their commitment wavered. The day before the roundtable, we received the dreaded news: FNB Botswana and LEA had withdrawn their pledges. The food they promised vanished, and their presentations e...

The Rural and urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) Potato Farming Value Addition and Processing Workshop Report Location : Gaborone, University of Botswana Attendance : 80 men and women from Botswana’s districts Facilitator : Hunter Executive, President and Founder of Farmer’s Pride International Day 1 Topics Covered : Africa’s agricultural history and the impact of colonization The global influence of potatoes and major potato-growing countries Culinary and industrial uses of potatoes, health benefits, and economic advantages for African farming communities Soil preparation types, planting potatoes in various containers, seed selection, potato ecology management Fertilizer application, watering, pest and disease control Bill of Quantities for growing 1000 bags of potatoes Homework assignment: Making Crisp Chips Day 2 Topics Covered : Open field potato farming techniques Land preparation, manure and fertilizers, additives benefits Potato varieties: types, characteri...

    2.1 Nutrient uptake curves Nutrients uptake is at its greatest during tuber bulking up (intensive volume increase process). The amount of nutrients removed by a potato crop is closely related to yield. Usually, twice the yield will result twice the removal of nutrients. Nutrients need to be applied as accurately as possible to the zone of uptake, slightly before, or at the time that the crop needs them. Failure to ensure that each plant gets the right balance of nutrients can spoil crop quality and reduce yield. The highest requirement for potassium, as shown on Figure 4, is during the bulking up stage of the tubers. The flowering of potato plants is an indication when this morphological stage starts. Consequently, the ideal side-dressing period with Multi-K™ would be during the tuber bulking stage.     Figure 4: Uptake of macronutrient uptake by a whole potato plant Source: Harris (1978)     The daily requirements of potato tube...