26 Aug 2020

Bobirwa Sub-council chairperson, Mr Christopher Motsholapheko says food production in Botswana remains a challenge as highlighted by COVID-19.

Speaking during a sub council session Monday, Mr Motsholapheko said ‘it is imperative that we drastically shift from relying much on food security to a food self-sufficiency policy.’

He said that Botswana needed to become a food producing country not just a mere consumer and called for a change of approach in food production.

To catalyse food production, Mr Motsholapheko said, ‘We should however, encourage Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board and other players such as Botswana Meat Commission to pay improved prices for agricultural produce as this would not only improve the buying power among our communities, but would also encourage farmers to double their efforts to produce more.’ The sub-council chairperson welcomed the newly revised Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency guidelines which he hoped would be user-friendly.

Consequently, Mr Motsholapheko called for Batswana to take advantage of the CEDA revised guidelines to improve their livelihoods.

Mr Motsholapheko said he was encouraged by Batswana buying from each other saying that the truth about the country’s economy was unfolding before their eyes. 

He said locally produced goods would strengthen economy instead of exporting jobs to other countries. He conceded that the impact of COVID-19 changed the economic landscape around the world and Botswana was not spared.

The chairperson observed that trade was fairly low with the ongoing lockdowns which resulted in some businesses winning whilst others lost.

He cited tourism and hospitality, informal sector and public transport among the sectors that were severely affected by COVID-19.

“Jobs have been lost during this pandemic, especially in the tourism sector,” said Mr Motsholapheko.

However, he observed that Botswana fared relatively well in the fight against the pandemic and commended the COVID-19 task team, frontline workers and essential workers for their commitment to selflessly protect the lives of Batswana. ends