14 Feb 2018

Parliament has been informed that the trip organised by the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) for five farmers to visit Norway on a benchmarking mission was undertaken as part of BMC’ strategy to educate farmers on market demands and needs.

Responding to a question by Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North, Mr Noah Salakae on Tuesday, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Mr Patrick Ralotsia said BMC arranged the benchmarking tour for farmers so as to get them acquainted with the standards required by the market from a producer’s perspective, especially on farm assurance, hygiene requirements, quality and weight.

The minister said cost of the tour was shared between Global Protein Solution (GPS) of Ireland who sponsored flights from Gaborone to Oslo and accommodation, while the BMC provided half of the eligible per diem to cover food and out of pocket expenses.Mr Ralotsia explained that the amount spent by BMC towards the trip was P33 196.

Further, the minister stated that the selection of farmers for the tour was done by BMC in consultation with the Botswana National Beef Producers Union, and that the farmers who undertook the trip included chairpersons of various district farmers associations, prominent farmers, including female farmers and using historic client database showing sales and supply of cattle to BMC by the farmers.

The minister said the selected farmers included chairperson of Botswana National Beef Producers Union Mr Madongo Direng, Ms Khumoetsele Mautle from Gantsi Farmers Association, Mr Loftus Ndzinge from Tshephe Farmers Association in the Kweneng District, Mr Boyce Mhutsiwa chairperson of the Southern District Farmers Association, Mr Seitebo Sebonego who is a prominent farmer in the Southern District and Ms Setlotlegeng Nyoni also a prominent farmer in the Boteti District.

MP Salakae had wanted the minister to state the names of the farmers who were recently sponsored by the BMC to Norway, the purpose and cost of the trip as well as selection criteria. Ends