24 Apr 2014

 

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has commended the 14 clients who enrolled in the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA)’s Glen Valley incubator facility for horticultural training for their good work.

Touring the facility on Wednesday April 2, Dr Kedikilwe said as government their objective was to empower all Batswana with all the relevant skills to be able to sustain their lives, those of their families and of the country.

“I am here to encourage you and to commend you for the good work that you are doing here. 

The skills that you acquired here and your production will not only benefit you and your families, but it will also help us as government by contributing to the entire food production in this country,” he said. 

Dr Kedikilwe said government was currently concerned with improving the linkage between the theories that students were taught at tertiary institutions with the practical needs of the industry.

The theory taught at tertiary institutions, he said should be made more meaningful or more relevant to the industry needs.

In his welcome remarks, LEA board chairperson, Mr Batlhatswi Tsayang said the incubator continued to be a motivational force for LEA to continue to push through the tide to realise the dreams of producing sustainable enterprises within the horticultural sector. 

Similar  to other LEA incubators, such as the Gaborone Leather Industries incubator, Pilane Multipurpose incubator and Francistown Light Industrial incubator, Mr Tsayang said the Glen Valley Horticultural incubator was occupied by entrepreneurs committed to contributing to the country’s economy.

Although the industry was fraught with challenges such as harsh climatic conditions, pests and flooded markets resulting in an inconsistent supply and low quality of horticultural in Botswana, he said the incubator had proven beyond doubt that they could be overcome with the right technology and the requisite knowledge.

The clients housed in the incubator, he said had been exposed to various technologies ensuring that they operated businesses which would increase production output, improve quality of their produce and ensure sufficient and consistent crop delivery under a protected and managed environment.

“These clients are working hand in hand with our staff, to ensure that they are equipped to graduate from these incubators and contribute to, and grow the economy of this country,” he added. Ends