04 Aug 2013

Beneficiaries of the backyard garden initiative have been encouraged to take care of their gardens as they serve as a profitable business for residents in the Okavango Sub-district.

Gumare councillor, Mr Motlamedi Moqwa said during the gardens tour organised by the district agricultural office on August 1. 

Cllr Moqwa said taking care of the gardens would ensure that residents had sufficient food to feed their families and also applauded the beneficiaries for planting other vegetables, which they were not given. He also advised the project owners to use water wisely and make sure that they follow  the advice given. 

The beneficiaries were advised to buy nets to patch up where animals had destroyed and encouraged parents to keep animals away from the yards.

When giving the objective of the day, Ministry of Agriculture head of station, Mr Thamane Babitseng said the idea was to show elders in the village and other stakeholders, how the projects were progressing. He noted that they were encouraging beneficiaries to plant more vegetables so that their businesses could expand while they also keep enough for consumption at home.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Mosalagae Samoka said she makes P160 a week from her garden and attributed the success to her commitment and hard work. She markets her business by going from door to door but was wary of the market as many people are planning on doing the same business. 

North West District Council economic planner based in Okavango, Ms Mpho Mogalakwe advised project owners to market themselves especially during market day events and use other means like donkey carts to sell their produce in order to make a profit. 

For his part, Kgosi Moitshephi Molelwa of Gumare thanked project owners and said it was important for them to communicate with relevant stakeholders if they have challenge so that they get help. 

He also encouraged them not to give up and continue taking care of their gardens. ENDS