06 Aug 2018

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has urged organisers of the annual Southern District Agricultural Show not to sit on their laurels.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Ralotsia applauded the organisers for putting together a massive show within a space of two years after many gap years, and advised them not to be complacent, adding there was “so much catching up to do to get it back to what it used to be in the past.”

Since the first show started in Kanye in 1941 through the visionary leadership of the late Kgosi Bathoen II, he said the show naturally had to live up to expectation.

Mr Ralotsia, who is also Member of Parliament for Kanye North, said he was happy with the quality of exhibits. 

He explained that shows were not about competition, but to give farmers an opportunity to share ideas, experiences with a view to motivate farmers to keep up with the latest technologies and developments.

Show publicity secretary, Mr Bobbie Gaseitsewe said the show had grown exponentially in the last two years. He said they also invited judges from South Africa and BUAN with a view to get expertise advice.

Mr Gaseitsewe however challenged farmers to take charge of the show and make it the best it could be. 

He said looking back at how small they started, they had every reason to hope it could grow bigger and better with time. 

He said he was impressed that most of the farmers who exhibited their products came from communal grazing areas and not farms.

Mr Gaseitsewe also challenged stakeholders to help construct permanent structures at the show grounds, and to have all year activities such as auctions to create employment for many.

A small stock farmer, Ms Kenanao Pasela said she was happy that the judges understood breed standards. She said demand for small stock outstripped supply and urged Batswana to take advantage of the situation. ENDS