24 Jan 2017

Francistown West MP Mr Ignatius Moswaane has encouraged Batswana to rely on farming as minerals are no longer doing well in the country as shown by the recent closure of mines.

Speaking during his ongoing kgotla meetings at Phase six on Monday afternoon, he said a number of Francistown residents suffer financially though they have ploughing fields they could use to earn a living.

He noted that a good number of ploughing fields surrounding Francistown were not being put to good use to benefit farmers and the country at large.

Mr Moswaane added that most farming costs are incurred by the government as they provide seeds and tractors through the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development.

He further disclosed that achieving food security for the country is a priority for the government, which can only be achieved by domestic crop production.

A Phase six resident, Ms Gorata Kgagamo suggested that the government should benchmark with countries such as Zambia in order to attain food security as they depend heavily on farming.

Also at the meeting, Ms Connie Bokhutlo from Selolwe Junior Secondary School said she was concerned about the high rate of crime involving their students.

She noted that they had registered a number of cases with the police, some of which include defilement, rape cases and selling of drugs within the school premises.Ms Bokhutlo informed parents that when such cases are reported, students are either suspended or expelled, which disturbs their education journey.

She further urged parents to play an active role in their children’s lives so as to encourage openness and know when their children are faced with challenges.

The Ward Development Committee chairperson Mr Batshegi Kgari pleaded with the MP for  the establishment of a shopping complex within Phase six and Phase five as there are no shops anywhere in the area. BOPA