09 Jul 2018

 The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Vincent Seretse has applauded farmers in Lentsweletau Sub-district for managing to harvest good crops despite the challenges they faced. 

Officially opening Lentsweletau Sub-district agricultural show on July 7, Mr Seretse said it was encouraging for the show to be held when farmers could not all plough and harvests were low due to low rainfall experienced during the ploughing season. 

He commended farmers for taking advantage of government programmes such as the National Development Bank (NDB) and Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) which offered funding for various agricultural projects. 

Mr Seretse, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lentsweletau-Mmopane urged farmers to look after their livestock and produce.

He called upon farmers to produce enough food to feed the country saying this would enable Botswana to reduce the import bill. 

The minister further said the agricultural show had grown, showing that there was something valuable to exhibit. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Jack Motswakhumo of Lentsweletau said government had good programmes such as Poverty Eradication and also offers free seeds for Batswana to improve their lives. 

 He said it was important for farmers to participate in agricultural shows in order to encourage each other. 

The show committee chairperson, Ms Mabel Kgabu said they needed funding to improve facilities. 

She said already they have started fund raising activities. 

Ms Kgabu further said few arable farmers participated at this year’s event due to poor rainy season. ENDS