30 May 2016

The Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse has said through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) government will use its expenditure and purchasing power to stimulate economic growth through accelerated economic.

Mr Autlwetse said when launching Agricultural Economic Stimulus Programme in Selebi Phikwe on May 27, where he also launched the Napro horticulture produce processing plant setup.

He said the expected outcome is an increase in job opportunities throughout the country.  He also said the ESP is government’s bold and robust action plan to stimulate economic growth in response to the continued slow economic growth following the 2008/09 economic down turn that resulted in unemployment , especially among the youth.

Mr Aultlwetse who is also Member of Parliament for Serowe North said his ministry’s contribution in reviving the economy through the ESP will be increasing production of milk by implementing the Dairy Strategy, providing infrastructure to production areas, facilitating market access through formation of production clusters and marketing cooperatives, provision of Agriculture Service Centers and using every source of water, including grey water for irrigation purposes which will result in increased crop and horticultural production.He said the Ministry of Agriculture will implement eight projects through the ESP in different districts during this financial year.

He noted that the projects are aimed at improving infrastructure in the production areas to make it easy for continuous production as there will be electricity and good accessible roads to farms. He mentioned that to date 216 people have been employed in all the projects.

He said the projects include the rehabilitation of Glen Valley Irrigation Scheme in Gaborone where an additional pipeline and pump house fitted with two pumps will be constructed.

In addition, electricity will be provided to 20 farms at Mosisedi Cluster which is located at Mosi and Sedibeng villages and 29 farms at Ditladi/Gulushabe horticultural cluster.Meanwhile, permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Boipolelo Khumomatlhare said Batswana especially the youth have been engaged to implement the projects under ministry’s ESP. He said the whole motive behind the programme is to stimulate economic growth and help diversify the economy of the country. He said job creation will take place through the projects being implemented.

He also cautioned those who have been contracted to take their jobs seriously and complete the projects according to specifications, budget and time. Ends