06 Aug 2014

Tshukudu Horticultural Farmers Association is anticipating opening a horticultural common market place or a distribution centre in Francistown for all horticultural produce from the North East district.

The chairperson for the association, Mr Melton Bangale said in an interview at the North East Trade show held in Masunga recently that horticultural farmers registered with the association would no longer be allowed to sell in the streets but would instead be required to bring their produce to the distribution centre.

Mr Bangale said the maintenance of the market building is complete, adding that preparations were underway for the common market to start operating soon.

He stated that farmers would be expected to pay a nominal fee to join the association; something he noted, would then allow the farmers to enjoy selling their produce through the market centre.

Mr Bangale said the country’s unfavourable climatic conditions pose a great challenge in the agricultural sector, like the recent frost, which hit North East district as well as the lack of a market.

The distribution centre will aid in finding market for all the produce from horticultural farmers in the North East district.

For his part, one of the farmers, Mr Thuso Raditsebe, who started a horticultural business in 2008 in Matshelagabedi, stated that the lack of a market is one of their most serious challenges since many large supermarkets import substantial quantities of vegetables from neighbouring countries.

He however expressed dissatisfaction that the association misled horticultural farmers into producing larger quantities assuring them that the distribution centre would start operating this year in May.

Mr Raditsebe said they had as a result, cut ties with their customers as they had been informed that they would no longer be allowed to sell directly to the public.

Furthermore, Mr Raditsebe who has since resorted to selling on the streets, said, he was forced to do so out of fear that since they produce perishable stuff, they might rot while waiting for the centre to start operating.

The farmer also pleaded with governmental organisations to support them by buying their vegetables.

Another farmer, Mr Enock Mosojane is hopeful that the centre will open soon to help them find the market for their produce.

He however encouraged other farmers who have not joined the association to join so as to find the much-needed support to make their horticultural businesses a success.

Mr Mosojane also encouraged youth in the North East district to venture into horticulture as the district has rich soils suitable for farming. Ends