30 Jul 2014

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christian De Graaff says government continues to support horticulture through a number of interventions in an effort to grow the industry and reduce horticultural imports.

Speaking at the horticulture marketing consultative conference in Gaborone on July 29, Mr De Graaff said resources were being used to support the industry in the form of ISPAAD adding that research and extension support had been committed to the development of the industry.

Moreover, Minister De Graaff said horticultural projects had been funded by other institutions such as private banks, CEDA, Youth Development Fund and the National Development Bank.

“All these investments have started to bear fruits because in 2013/14 horticulture production has grown to 46 000 metric tonnes which is about 5000 metric tonnes from the previous year”.

He urged farmers to increase production and pay particular attention to quality by complying with existing quality standards

Mr De Graaff said farmers must also adopt cropping plans that will ensure smooth supply of produce throughout the year avoiding oversupply at peak season that results in excess produce that is eventually discarded.

Furthermore, he said, over supply depresses market prices for such commodities and urged farmers to target high value crops such as tomatoes and potatoes

He said although traders play an important role in the horticulture industry because they create a market for the produce most farmers complain of low prices that are paid by former.

Mr De Graaff said as government they are not in a position to pass judgment on the matter, however, as a strategy to improve the farmer bargaining power, they are currently transforming the Botswana Horticulture Market to enable it to be the major outlet for fruits and vegetables and thus supply local traders and consumers.

He said as government they promote local produce and urge consumers to buy locally produced fruits and vegetables provided the quality and price is right.

On the issue of imports regulations, the minister said there are challenges such as to ascertain that local produce is available in good quantity and quality, given the weather changes. ENDS