24 Jun 2013

Government strives to create an enabling environment to assist farmers produce food, says transport and communications minister, Mr Nonofo Molefhi.

Addressing Mosi/Sedibeng farmers during a field day on June 22, Mr Molefhi noted that over 60 per cent of the food consumed locally is imported.

He said some countries produced genetically modified crops which could find their way into the country.

He said Mosi/Sedibeng farmers could help reduce dependency on others for food.

He appealed to residents of villages around Mosi such as Mokgomane, Phitshane Molopo and Sedibeng to afford the farmers support so they could overcome adversity, adding that farming is a challenging enterprise that requires patience.

Mr Molefhi also urged the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) not only to buy farmers produce, but to come up with a strategy that would give committed farmers financial assistance.

He also promised to discuss with his agriculture counterpart, Mr Christian De Graaff on how best the government could develop rural roads to ensure they accommodate farm implements and machinery.

Mr Molefhe said farmers also need telecommunications infrastruture to stop them from  travelling long distances to service centres.

 He added that telecommunications infrastruture would also motivate the youth to venture into farming and to enjoy their stay at the farms.

 On the issue of land, Mr Molefhi said the government plans to curb unnecessary losses to farmers by providing land according to what it is suitable for.

He also suggested that there should be an insurance policy for agricultural businesses so that farmers could be compensated in the event of unforeseen natural disasters like droughts.

 Mr Molefhi, who is also the MP for Selibe Phikwe East, urged small scale farmers to benchmark from established commercial farmers in order to enhance their knowledge.

For his part, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Micus Chimbombi applauded Mosi/Sedibeng farmers for developing and putting the land they recently acquired to good use.

He expressed  concern that land that is allocated for farming is often converted to other purposes.

Dr Chimbombi said out of the 600 000 hectares of land that has been allocated countrywide, only 400 000 hectares is  suitable for farming.

He said areas like Mmalore, Jwaneng, Leshibitse, Mookane, Dukwi and Motopi are suitable for arable agriculture.

Dr Chimbombi said the country would attain food security and export surplus crops to other countries.  “This nation will indeed achieve this in my lifetime,” he said.

The director of the Department of Crops, Dr Pharoah Mosupi noted that the government has assisted Mosi/Sedibeng cluster farmers with P1.7 million and P1.5 million respectively to fence their land.

He also urged farmers to benchmark from one another, adding that the government would assist them to travel locally.

For his part, the host farmer and Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Eric Molale said the appraisal of agricultural projects should be done in a way that would benefit farmers with a passion for farming. He noted that modern farm implements and machinery are expensive, adding that his tractors cost P1.3 million and P600 000 each.

He said financial institutions should also view farmers as food producers, adding that they also  create employment for other Batswana.

With sufficient financial support for farmers, Mr Molale also argued that the nation could attain food security, adding that the P1 billion that is being spent every week on food imports could be used on local food producers and suppliers.

A guest farmer from the Kweneng area, Mr Ellias Ramosu applauded President Lt.Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama for efforts to eradicate poverty through farming.

He also urged the agriculture ministry and the Ministry of Lands and Housing to identify and gazette fertile farming lands in other areas such as Kweneng, Kgatleng and the Central districts. Mr Ramasu said passionate farmers are often discouraged by shortage of land.

The field day was graced by South Sudan general secretary of government, Mr Abdon Nhial and the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.  ENDS