23 Jan 2017

Small business owners have lamented losses incurred following the Tuta absoluta (tomato leaf miner) outbreak.

The pest, which attacks potatoes, egg plants, bean crops and tomatoes has forced government to impose a restriction on the imports of such crops from South Africa.

Ms Kelebogile Boitumelo who makes a living selling fried potato chips in Serowe main mall said business had been limping since. 

She said before the outbreak, she used to buy a 10kg bag of potatoes for P65 which now costs P110.

 Ms Boitumelo said the price hike had forced her to do likewise, resulting in her losing customers.

 Before the outbreak, she said she used at least 10 bags of potatoes a day and now the number had gown down to five.

 “I buy local potatoes which are very small and take weeks to be delivered, resulting in loss of business,” she said.

Ms Boitumelo however, advised Batswana to cooperate with government and report those smuggling the affected crops into the country.

“The Serowe police and the agriculture ministry are doing a good job as from time to time they go around the mall checking for imported products,” said Mr Barulaganye Galefele who also sells potato chips.

Mr Galefele encouraged Batswana to follow media programmes such as Temo Thuo and the news for updates. BOPA