29 Feb 2016

In a move to salvage the agricultural sector in Ngamiland region, the Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Ralotsia says he has an initiative to visit the region monthly to observe and appreciate issues on the ground.

Speaking recently during a tour along the buffalo fence near Shorobe, Minister Ralotsia said the Ngamiland region was marred with numerous challenges that affected the agricultural sector, although agriculture was the bedrock of the people.

He said his monthly visits were purported to observe the situation which affected agriculture and to appreciate the challenges on the ground. Mr Ralotsia pointed out that the buffer zones were meant to restrict buffalos from mingling with cattle to prevent the Foot and Mouth Disease spreading from the latter.

However, Mr Ralotsia said elephants regressed efforts made in the FMD fight since they destroyed fences and made way for cattle and buffalo to cross over. The ministry, he said, would continue to maintain the buffer zone regardless of the costly expenses since people’s livelihoods were imperative.

He said the ministry was about to introduce another initiative of trenches to manage elephants movement, in addition to existing methods of chili pepper and bees. Minister Ralotsia said it was noticed that elephants could not cross a trench of about a metre and deeper.

The trench method, he said, would be piloted to establish its effectiveness. He pointed out that the chili pepper method was effective, but that it had a short span. He, however, said the trench method would be costly. The minister said trials were done about the trench method and given a green light.

In an interview, the Member of Parliament for Ngami, Mr Thato Kwerepe said the Ministry of Agriculture spent a lot of money in Ngamiland, but still failed farmers. Mr Kwerepe said the ministry failed to maintain the buffalo fences in some areas.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture should up their game lest the people of Ngamiland lost hope in them. However, he said the ministry was worth commending since it has started strengthening the buffer zones as one of the BOCCODOL FMD resolutions. Ends