20 Mar 2018

Low prices paid to suppliers of Tswana chickens and artisans for the construction of poultry shelters under the Poverty Eradication Programme have been singled out to be affecting programme implementation.

 Hence the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have been urged to consider reviewing the prices.

 South East District principal district officer for development, Ms Gosego Jotia said when presenting the district development committee report before the council session in Ramotswa recently.

 She said the implementation of the Tswana chickens package is very low in the district and people are not willing to supply Tswana chickens.

 “On the other hand, artisans are also not willing to provide labour for the construction of poultry sheds at the current price,” she stated.

 Therefore, the district development committee believes that the current price of P55 a hen and P65 for a cock be increased to P100 a hen and P150 a cock and labour cost for the construction of the poultry be increased from P800 to P1 500.

 Ms Jotia said since the inception of Poverty Eradication Programme in the district, a total of 2 795 potential beneficiaries have been mobilised with 1 841 having been assessed, and only 1 619 found to be qualifying for the project.

 She stated that 743 have been funded and they are facing challenges such as lack of commitment by beneficiaries, saturated market, lack of understanding project management and shortage of Tswana chickens in the district.

 Ms Jotia stated that the district keeps on providing continuous support to beneficiaries as well as engage and encourage government departments to engage beneficiaries.

 Beneficiaries are also provided with business management and record keeping guidance as well as enhanced monitoring visits. ENDS