13 Jul 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has declared 2015/16 a drought year following consideration of drought assessment tour exercise.

The exercise was conducted February 1-26, 2016 and May 4-13.

A press release from Office of the President says the exercise confirmed that rainfall was poorly distributed and was below normal in most parts of the country.

Therefore, livelihoods of a significant number of rural households remained vulnerable “and will thus be in need of government assistance in the coming months.”

In view of these findings,  as per the release, President Khama declared the whole country drought stricken.

Consequently, some relief and special assistance measures will  be implemented effective July 1 until June 30, 2017, “save for the livestock feed subsidy, which should terminate on December 31”.

To provide assistance to farmers who secured their loans from Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency and National Development Bank, the release says government, through Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, shall invoke the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS).

“This assistance will be extended to those who have paid up their contributions towards the ACGS insurance scheme,” added the release.

Government will provide a 25 per cent livestock feed subsidy effective July 1 until December 31, 2016 through Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board.

 Subsidy will be on 50kg Di-Calcium Phosphate or composite feed, 50kg Drought Pellets, 30kg Bran, 50kg Course Salt and 25kg Lucerne/Lab Lab/Maize/Sorghum Stalk bales. These items will not incur VAT payment.

Other relief measures will be to intensify construction and maintenance of firebreaks around protected areas as well as raise budget allocations for destitution programme by 10 per cent to strengthen safety nets. 

Special dispensation for Okavango Sub-district to support the needy households will continue.

Provision will be made for a double ration at health facilities and second meal at primary schools in the 10 rural districts. 

“Government, through the Ministry of Health, shall continue the Direct Feeding Programme,” adds the release. ENDS