27 Aug 2014

A P227 582.20 worth of funding by the Department of Gender Affairs has given the MmaMokhasi Horticultural Agricultural Management Association a ray of hope.


The association is a vegetable production outfit which started as far back as 1988, but have over the years faced challenges ranging from the stalling of the borehole engine, silting that hindered water reticulation from the reservoir to the plots.


“All this posed a challenge and culminated in little production because added to the inconvenience was problem animals especially monkeys that ravaged the crops,” said Ms Kelebogile Malau, who is the association’s secretary.


She reiterated that they had indeed given up on the project, but thanks to the intervention by his Excellency President Seretse Khama Ian Khama in 2011, the group has been given a new lease of life.


Until President Seretse Khama Ian Khama came on board, the group had not only lost hope but had stopped production for two years.


Another member, Ms Waphuthego Seumakwane said the Department of Gender Affairs has indeed come to their rescue and they have acquired all the necessary equipment.


“As a group, we are elated by the development especially the new technology employed as it will help augment thorough put,” said Ms Seumakwane, who also mentioned that they are about to take to production with dynamism.
Senior gender officer, Mr Tebogo Motlogelwa confirmed that indeed they have financially sponsored the group which comprises five women.


The department of crop production’s Irrigation Officer, Mr Galetogelwe Kegomoditswe said all the necessary equipment have been procured and they are currently working on the pump station something he said would have been dealt within two weeks before production commences. Ends