29 Nov 2016

Parliamentarians on Monday called upon the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security to provide access roads to farming areas and establish Livestock Advisory Centres (LACs).
Debating Chapter 9 of the draft National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11), the Member of Parliament for Ramokgonami-Sefhare, Ms Dorcas Makgato said she was happy an LAC would be established in Sefhare.
She said this would enable farmers in the area, who she said provide 90 per cent of food consumed in the south, to easily access services.
The MP said she hoped through the LAC, the youths would be empowered and venture into agriculture.

MP for Shashe West, Mr Fidelis Molao said while Chadibe was the fastest growing village in the country after Mmopane according to the 2011 National Population Census, the village remained under developed and lacked a number of services.

He further said residents of Jamakata who are impoverished have to travel to access services such as a clinic.

MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile said residents in his constituency would have to wait for many years as Kanye does not have an LAC and none is to be constructed in the next six years.

He said rather than diverting funds meant for the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security should be provided with more money to enable the university to continue with its programmes without hindrance.

MP Machana Shamukuni of Chobe said his constituents have welcomed a primary hospital in Chobe and was pleased the staff would be provided with housing.

He further said he was also happy the clinic in Kazungula would be upgraded but added a maternity wing should be included.

MP Shamukuni said the development of Agro-Zambezi project was an important project but called upon the ministry not to forget the subsistence farmers who would not benefit from it.

MP for Nata-Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga said the ministry of agriculture should be given sufficient resources as the sector was  key in eradicating poverty and employment creation.

He said his constituents relied on agriculture for their wellbeing but unfortunately the poor roads made it difficult for them to reach production areas.

MP Majaga said the government should through Public Private Partnership (PPP) engage the private sector in constructing stadiums as it is done in other countries.

MP Samuel Rantuana of Ramotswa said it was high time Botswana made its own seeds rather than rely on foreign countries which he said negatively affected the ploughing season.

He said some roads which pass through agricultural fields have now been demarcated as plots making it difficult for farmers to reach their areas.

MP Rantuana said agriculture should be taught in primary schools to engage the youth in their early years. ENDS