07 Jul 2015

The process of merging the National Food Technology Research Centre (NFRTC), the department of Agriculture Research and the National Veterinary Laboratory is ongoing, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has told Parliament.

Mr Ralotsia said registration of the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute; the organisation that would continue the merged functions had been done.

He further said directors had duly been appointed and would be launched on July 9 in Kanye. Thereafter, he said the process of recruiting the chief executive officer and other necessary personnel would commence leading to the set-up of the new institute.

Mr Ralotsia was responding to questions asked by Tati west MP, Mr Biggie Butale, who wanted to know when NFRTC, the department of Agriculture Research and the National Veterinary Laboratory would be merged into one company.

He also wanted to know if the minister was aware that the managing director of NFRTC has signed a contract whilst on acting appointment, and whether that constitutes good corporate governance. In addition, he wanted to know where the headquarters would be. Ends