12 Jun 2013

Investments are geared towards serving local needs and strengthening the small farmers’ production capacity as they are key to achieving food security in the country.

Addressing the Hunhukwe community during the agricultural market day, Ministry of Agriculture deputy permanent secretary, Ms Oemetse Nkwane said it was important to introduce modern farming technologies to assist small scale farmers to improve their agricultural products and build agricultural based businesses that would lead to food security and rural development.

Ms Nkwane said modern farming technologies can also positively impact rural poverty eradication projects and programmes.

She cited the drip irrigation system used in the backyard garden as clear testimony to the positive impact of modern technology.

She said there was a strong correlation between unstable food security and poverty noting that poverty was high in areas where agricultural production was low due to poor soils and low, erratic rainfall.

 “Poverty and hunger are closely linked and form a vicious circle. In many ways hunger can be considered the severest form of poverty,” she said.

Ms Nkwane further stated that agriculture had for years been an important component of the country’s economy and therefore stimulating this sector through modern technology should be prioritised as a way of uplifting both the local livelihoods and the country’s economy.

The ministry, she said, had recently classified production according to agro-ecological zones and Kgalagadi North has been classified as a production area for cowpeas, melons and beekeeping. ENDS