08 Aug 2016

 Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mr Kgotla Autlwetse says community farms are mainly for livestock farming under the fencing components of the National Policy on Agriculture and Development (NPAD) of 1991.

Responding to a question in Parliament from MP for Nata-Gweta Mr Polson Majaga, he said that considerable progress has been made to introduce community farms in arears where ranches were not allocated.

Mr Autlwetse said community farms have been allocated to farmers either as a trust or as syndicates at Grootlagte, Chobokwane, New Xanagas, Thobaxaa (Sehunou/Mabuo), Malatswai, Somelo, Takatokwane, Dutlwe, East and West Hanahai.

He said that his ministry continues to assist farmers to form syndicates and equip them with skills on group dynamics adding that farm visits and extension outreach are continuously done to teach farmers general animal husbandry practices.

“Batswana have benefited tremendously and continue to benefit from this progamme,” he said, ading that community farms and cluster fencing serve different purposes. 

MP Majaga wanted the minister to update the House on the progress made by the introduction of community farms. Ends