11 Jan 2017

The Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Mr Patrick Ralotsia on Tuesday visited the Ramatlabama boarder gate to appreciate and commission the recently installed digital signage machine.

The digital signage machines are used to send bio security messages to different border posts, alerting travelers on bio security messages, in an effort to improve boarder control compliance.

 In his presentation, Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security plant protection officer Mr Mogomotsi Moatswi said the project consisted of campaign awareness to all consumers and users of agriculture products, training consumers and creating awareness on declaration of agriculture products when crossing borders. He said they carried the exercise in 10 districts across the country.

Mr Moatswi also indicated that the project included the aspect of creating communication system of monitors which will be communicating any new or relevant information to customers and/or nation at boarders with regard to movement of agriculture products going in and out of the country.

 He explained that the commissioning of the digital signage was the last lap of the project which started in April 2015 and was expected to end this year in March.

However, he noted that they have had feedback from customers during campaigns; with suggestions to increase and improve scanning.

The boarder compliance project, Mr Moatswi noted was realised with the assistance of Food Agriculture Organisation at a budget of P2.1million.

He also indicated that BUAN assisted in training inspectors whom will be qualified to inspect animals and crops, as soon as the course is accredited by BUAN.ENDS