14 Apr 2013

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christiaan De Graaff has vowed to assist farmers to find alternative market for their beef.

Speaking at the Beef Sector Letsema 2013 workshop at Otse Police College, Mr De Graaff said he and trade minister, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu had been tasked by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to look for alternative beef market.

“The government remains committed to giving the beef industry the support it deserves and will look for a new market so that farmers can get all that their cattle are worth,” he assured.

Minister De Graaff said he was concerned about the number of  cattle at the Foot and Mouth (FMD) hit areas of Ngamiland that stood at 450 000 instead of 300 000, while those in Bobirwa were 150 000 instead of 100 000.

He said government was going all out to convince the EU markets that although Botswana was a middle income country, the agriculture sector was not yet developed. “We will fight for our place even at EU to see if they can give us a waiver,” he said.

Mr De Graaff further said his ministry would through the export levy, finance the farmers’ association to be able to reach all the farmers to consult them as to who they wanted in the membership of the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) board.

“I am willing to do all that it takes to put things right. I cannot run this ministry without your inputs” he said. ENDS