26 Jan 2016

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, has described as, unacceptable, the tendency by some businesses to buy subsidised livestock feeds and medicine, but later re-sell to farmers at exorbitant prices.

Mr Ralotsia said this in response to a query by Southern District Farmers Beef Association chairperson, Mr Marks Mophuting during a consultative meeting in Kanye on Monday.

Mr Mophuting had appealed to the minister to intervene on the matter, saying some companies used their financial muscle to procure subsidised feeds and medicine at Livestock Advisory Centres leaving the small farmer in the lurch.

The minister therefore called on farmers to come up with ways to nip the problem on the bud.

“As a government, we have facilitated the establishment of the subsidy programme and expect you to come forth with ideas to address this matter forthwith,” he said.

Mr Ralotsia, also Kanye North MP, re-affirmed government’s stand to have LACs transferred to Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) by April 1 this year.

He cited red tapes within the operations of government as well as considerable growth of the private sector as among the primary reasons behind the transfer.

“As a government, we should not be seen to be competing with the private sector,” he said.

On the idea to extend grace period given to farmers and freeze interest by CEDA and National Development Bank during dry spells, Minister Ralotsia said it was a food for thought that also needed engagement of the financers.

On other issues, Mr Ralotsia commended farmers for their commitment to comply with all European market requirements; something he said makes Botswana beef a viable undertaking.

“Let me commend you in this regard and encourage you to continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture on all matters of compliance,” he said adding farmers should shift their focus from selling old animals to lucrative weaner production as per the dictates of the market.

The association’s vice chairperson, Mr Tiroyaone Mmereki, also suggested that farmers be required to pay a certain amount of money per cattle held at artificial insemination centres for feeding purposes to which the minister objected saying it could prove to be a difficult exercise especially for budding farmers.

The minister therefore advised established farmers to buy semen and practice on the farm artificial insemination, which he said is cheap as the farmer does not have to incur the cost of transporting animals to the Ministry of Agriculture artificial insemination centre. Ends