13 Nov 2014

Government sees arable farming and livestock production as priority sectors that can be used to create more jobs and generate income for rural areas.

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama revealed during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday that the sector had huge untapped potential in terms of job creation, rural income generation and food security.

“The Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD), Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development Program (LIMID) and animal disease control measures are key interventions for driving the sector forward,” he told Parliament.

President Khama said the prospects for the 2013/14 ploughing season were good for rain fed agriculture. With more than 127 000 farmers having cultivated nearly 417 000 hectares, he said the country was anticipating a record cereal crop harvest of about 200 000 metric tonnes.

“This is over 500 per cent above that of last year, when we were of course plagued by poor rainfall,” he said. He pointed that the higher estimated crop yield was a result of the use of hybrid seeds, fertilisers, herbicides, and improved technology.

President Khama stated that ISPAAD, through its five components of draught power and input subsidy, cluster fencing, individual fencing and horticulture assistance, had been the primary vehicle by which government channeled support for expanded arable farming.

He said a problem of lack of market for horticulture produce was being tackled through developments such as the establishment of the Horticulture Market, which acts as a wholesaler to provide a sure market at equitable prices.

He also said a horticulture processing facility at Selebi Phikwe would also soon provide another reliable outlet for horticulture produce.

Concerning livestock production, Lt. Gen. Khama said the sector has enjoyed positive growth, which has enabled Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to resume beef exports to European Union and other international markets.

The President offered that the animal disease situation was satisfactory as the foot and mouth diseases outbreaks had been brought under control.

However, he said Botswana was still heavily dependent on milk and milk products imports, and a diary strategy had been adopted to turn around the situation.

The President said 18 000 farmers have received assistance through LIMID since 2007 at a cost of P224 million. ENDS