24 Sep 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has advised the Ministry of Agriculture to consider budgeting for agricultural infrastructure in future.

He said this when receiving donations of 305 bags of maize and sorghum from Mogapinyana farmers, office furniture from Puma Energy Botswana, and a cheque for P60 000 from Botswana Biker Society.

President Khama said since the country seems to be coming out of recession, the ministry should from next year start budgeting for the infrastructure such as roads and provision of electricity to enable farmers to take their produce to the markets without any difficulties. 

President Khama said he was delighted that the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) programme was helpful to farmers, but noted that the programme was designed to assist Batswana to feed themselves.

“Back in 2008 when we had food prices sky rocketing, I said to Batswana in general that we need to up our game. 

As long as we have rains, there should be no excuse not to feed ourselves,” he said. 

He further noted that government would do everything to assist Batswana to feed themselves. 

President Khama said in the SADC region alone, Botswana has been able to come out with the biggest percentage of over 500 per cent increase in food production in one year and the nearest in the region was about 70 per cent.

This, he said was an indication of how successful ISPAAD has been and that the programme would be improved by taking infrastructure to production areas. 

He also applauded Batswana to continue heeding to the call of caring for the less privileged.

“As a result of my appeal to the private sector to join hands with government to help the needy, 17 000 people have been assisted from the received proceeds under the President Charitable Trust. 

In a wide range of areas we sponsored students to attend institutions, farmers associations and that through the English Football Association teams we have received and distributed kits and football to the teams around the country and 8 000 blankets and clothing,” he said.

He said the furniture donated would go a long way in helping institutions or charity organisations who run orphanages to conduct their business. He also thanked Puma Energy for blankets donation and their pledge to build four houses.

President Khama said he appreciated the generous gesture of Mogapinyana farmers in the Ngwaketse Central for their donation of 305 bags of maize and sorghum which he said would be given to the needy people around the country

As for the Botswana Bikers Association, he said he intends to join all the bike rides as they have been a nice spectacle to people around town.

Mogapinyana farmers’ representative, Mr Meadow Dinoge said the donation was a gesture to appreciate the ISPAAD programme which has put a smile to many farmers around the country by improving production. 

He said the donation was also a heed to the country’s Vision 2016 pillar of Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation.

General manager of Puma Energy Botswana, Mr Mahube Mpugwa said the President’s initiatives have always had a direct impact to community members who are less fortunate.

He said his company embraces any opportunity through which it can make a difference to the members of the community and said Puma Energy Botswana pledges to build four houses in the next three years under the President’s Housing Appeal initiative.

Chairperson of Botswana Biker Association, Mr Bertus De Klerk said the President has always graced the charity events of his association, hence his association felt that it should reciprocate the gesture as a token of appreciation.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo said President’s Charitable Trust is an non-profitable organisation that seeks to complement the various initiatives and programmes existing in the economy that are intended to improve and supplement the livelihoods conditions, pursuits in various sector of economy and various people who need assistance. ENDS