21 May 2019

Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) general manager, Dr Onkabetse Matlho says there is need to encourage established farmers and aspiring farmers to double their efforts  in agricultural production for the country to have sustainable long term food security.

Officiating at the Kang Farmers Field Day workshop on recently, he said that the nation, particularly farmers should know what  it takes to attain food security.

He said that the world population was estimated to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and  nine billion by 2050. 

Therefore, he called farmers to be prepared for a robust agricultural revolution to ensure sustainable food security across the world.

Dr Matlho however, said farmers were still faced with various challenges that could impede their efforts in attaining sustainable food security such as  climate change, inadequate land, and outbreak of diseases. 

On that note, he urged farmers to adopt to new farming technologies that would aid in the increase of production. 

Earlier in her welcome remarks, acting district agric coordinator for Kgalagadi District, Ms Hilda Motsipa called all stakeholders to join hands and improve the agricultural sector to safe guard against starvation.

Giving the objectives of the day, Kang Farmers Association’s Mr Oaitse Monei said that the field day initiative was established in order to sensitise the youth and other aspiring farmers about the importance of agriculture in the economic growth of the country.

He said that there were less agricultural activities in their area and through the field day events they would share ideas in order to promote their cattle farming that their region was popularly known for.

Mr Monei  also said the workshop would help people not to focus only on rearing cattle and small stock but to also consider other available agricultural activities that he said could assist in reducing  the reduce import bill.

He further urged Youth to utilise government programmes to improve their livelihoods as well as create job opportunities for others.

He further called on women to be active in farming as well as to improve their household’s livelihoods and escape the pangs of poverty.

In his closing remarks, Kgalagadi District Council chairperson, Mr Meleko Thumpe lauded Kang Farmers Association for their efforts to revive the spirit of agriculture in their locality.

He also called on the Agricultural extension officers to work hard to ensure that they engage farmers on different matters concerning farming to equip them with necessary skills for them to be the champions in their game, for the benefit of improving the economic growth of the country.

Meanwhile, the workshop focused on educating farmers about safe use of antibiotics, modern farming implements, practice of smart climate agriculture, minimising human/wildlife conflicts for improved agriculture, exploring the use of artificial insemination and the importance of feeding animals with supplements.

The workshop was held under the theme; Transforming Agriculture in the Wake of Climate Change. ENDS