30 Jan 2020

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi has learnt that Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) warehouse in Hukuntsi has adequate supply to meet demand in Kgalagadi.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse said there were challenges in procuring animal feed from local and other regional suppliers.

That, he said was due to drought that affected greater region resulting in low yield of animal feed ingredients across the region which resulted in high competition for the little that was available in the market.

He said local animal feed producers could not meet the local demand as uptake of products increased significantly after the increase of the subsidy from 25 per cent to 35 per cent in July.

Mr Autlwetse, who was answering a question on behalf of the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security said in order to address the situation in the long term, BAMB had embarked on a project to procure animal feed to fill the gap that was available in the market.

BAMB also identified other supplier to procure feed and also encouraged Batswana to take advantage of the government ploughing subsidy so they would be able to produce enough animal feed of their own.

He said BAMB also bought crop residue, animal fodder and other crops to process at its new feed planet.

Kgosi Moeti Monyamane of Kgalagadi North region, had asked the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security if he was aware that BAMB warehouse at Hukuntsi was failing to supply farmers with stock feed and other products in the region.

He also wanted to know what the ministry intended to do to assist farmers with government subsidies.

Meanwhile, Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila informed Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that the expansion of Thamaga Police Station was not planned for in the eleventh National Development Plan (NDP 11).

Mr Mzwinila who was answering a question on behalf of the minister of Defence, Justice and security, said services provided by the police station were currently considered adequate for the area.

However, he said the project would be considered along with other police stations during NDP 12, depending on national priorities, challenges and budget.

Kgosi Edison Gobuamang of Thamaga region had wanted to know when the Thamaga Police Station would be expanded. ENDS