08 Mar 2015

The Department of Forestry and Range Resources recently held a field day to mark progress in driving poverty eradication initiative.  

Backyard nursery programme is part of the broader government initiative of eradicating poverty in the low income households.

Speaking during the backyard nursery farmer’s field day in Rasesa, Dr Seoleseng Tshwenyane from Botswana College of Agriculture said there were about 50 backyard nursery projects in Kgatleng District.

She said out of the number, 10 were funded under poverty eradication programme while 40 were self-funded. Dr Tshwenyane said the projects mainly produce ornamental plants and few indigenous species.

She said the field day provided an opportunity to all stakeholders to evaluate past performance of backyard nursery programme.

“In 2013 and 2014, a total of 6 467 and 11 782 plants were produced by backyard nurseries. Revenue collected was P53 972 for 1 512 seedlings and P76 481 for 2 210 seedling respectively,” said Dr Tshwenyane. She said the increase in production could be attributed to an increased number of farmers.

Dr Tshwenyane stated that the field day followed a three day workshop which was convened to train backyard farmers on nursery layout and plant propagation techniques, business management and marketing strategies including use of water and formation of association.

She said the theme for the day, “Tree planting: A Key to sustainable life forever” was full of opportunities as tree planting generates income and improves livelihoods of the farmers. One of the beneficiaries of backyard nursery, Ms Matone Modise said she started her business in her homestead by planting trees to make ends meet.

She said while she went around selling her trees, she met one woman who told her about assistance offered by Department of Forestry and Range Resources. Ms Modise said she got assistance and today she is a backyard nursery farmer. ENDS