30 Jul 2014

There are 19 extension areas in Tonota North constituency, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi, has said. 


Responding to a question in parliament from Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao, Mr Molebatsi said the areas are; Borolong, Mabesekwa, Tonota East, Tonota West, Sebina, Mathangwane, Marapong, Matsitama and Mokubilo. 


These extension areas, he said serviced about 15 villages within the constituency, adding that “all extension areas are manned by Crop Production Extension Officers (Balimisi), while two being Mabesekwa and Matsitama are manned by Veterinary Extension Officers.”


The ideal situation, assistant minister said was to have an extension officer in all villages. Due to shortage of resources, including manpower, he said that could not be achieved. He said the situation in Tonota North constituency was relatively good as almost all extension areas were manned and this scenario gave satisfactory results. 


However, Mr Molebatsi said effective service delivery was compromised where the extension area was vast or the officer was away from station on other duties. 
 “My ministry has in the interim, given a dispensation for employment of temporary technical officers who are deployed in the vacant extent areas,” he added.


Mr Molao had wanted to know Mr Molebatsi how many villages in Tonota North constituency had Veterinary Officers and Agricultural Demonstrators (balemisi).


Tonota North MP also wanted to know whether the scenario as presented enabled the Ministry to effectively service the people of the constituency and what the Assistant minister was doing in the interim to address the problem.
 ENDS