16 Jun 2019

Cluster farming projects help small scale farmers through sharing of resources, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Mr Fidelis Molao has said.

Speaking at the combined ministry’s Parastatals Open Day and Masunga Cluster Harvest Day in Masunga on June 14, Mr Molao said Masunga cluster was one of the committed clusters across the country, having engaged a private company to clear part of  the 731 hectares of the land.

The Minister stated that the open day strengthens relationship between the ministry and communities to which they take their services.

Mr Molao indicated that due to climate change rainfall had become unreliable, hence limiting farmers to ploughing only a few hectares.

He stated that it was important for parastatals to take their services to the people in order to educate them on how to cushion crops from harsh weather conditions.

Mr Molao said agriculture aimed at eradicating hunger and poverty because people who produce their own food could save a lot and even feed others.

He stated that Africa was experiencing hunger due to climate change, which he said was worsened by the growing population, hence noted that it was important to come up with smart ways to cushion this.

The Minister said for Masunga cluster to have experienced the first cultivations in the past ploughing season was a dream come true for the community.

Mr Molao warned farmers about the growing population of elephants in the northern part of Botswana as they continue to kill people and cause destruction.

He said Botswana therefore took a decision to lift the hunting ban,  however stating that hunting would be controlled.

For his part, Kgosi Maruje III said the cluster farm land used to be a thick bush for years without being utilised even though agriculture was the backbone of Botswana for years.

He stated that government in 2018 introduced ISPAAD to revive agriculture by subsidising farmers while thanking the ministry for their dedication towards the project as it offered machinery and manpower.

Kgosi Maruje III said cluster farming was a community development project to empower the community and it could only be successful if all stakeholders joined hands, hence the open and harvest day was a step in the right direction.

“These farms are a legacy for our children.

Let’s embrace agriculture rather than neglect it because a lot of dreams will be realised here,” he said.

MP for Tati West Mr Biggie Butale encouraged Batswana to not rely on rainfall, but rather practice green housing, reiterating that through agriculture Botswana could eradicate poverty and unemployment.

He stated that Masunga cluster farming would not just take the district far, but also contribute immensely to the economy of Botswana. ENDs