07 Jul 2013

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture has told Southern District council that the revised Cattle Slaughter and Export Levy has been increased from P2 per cow to P30 to cushion costs incurred during livestock disease outbreaks.

Dr Micus Chimbombi said when addressing full council in Kanye recently, that the levy which is charged on every cow slaughtered for commercial and export purposes.

In addition Dr Chimbombi said the increment of the levy by P28 during review and the fact that an account which attracts interest has been opened meant the ministry had to widen its net in terms of the assistance extended to farmers through it.

On other issues, Dr Chimbombi expressed disappointment at the attitude displayed by majority of Batswana of not utilizing government programmes whose purpose was to uplift their livelihoods.

“Huge amounts of money are disbursed by the government, but the output is disappointing to say the least,” he said citing a number of programmes which failed to bear fruit due to the negative attitude by intended beneficiaries.

He therefore urged Batswana to be proactive and utilize government programmes to ensure not only food security for the country but to enhance their livelihoods as well.

Commenting Cllr Johnson Mhaladi of Mabule said though welcome, programmes such as ISPAAD were not doing as well as they should, because some people considered them to be small..

He said for instance that the ministry should ensure that implements such as tractors be operated by knowledgeable people in order to increase throughput per hector.

For his part Southern District Chairman, Mr Leach Tlhomelang said the fact the Ministries of Agriculture and that of Local Government and Rural Development were important to the livelihoods of Batswana there was need for regular consultation.

“We should consult one another to avoid instances of clashes in terms of our programs to maximise throughput,” he said citing ISPAAD and Ipelegeng.

He commended the ministry in its effort to turn around agriculture throughput. ENDS