27 Aug 2020

Acting North East District agricultural coordinator, Mr Zibani Madzonga, says pests’ outbreak hamper efforts to increase food production and agricultural trade.

Speaking during a three-day workshop on pests of economic importance in Francistown on Tuesday, Mr Madzonga said of recent, Botswana  experienced outbreaks of pests such as fruit fly, tuta absoluta, fall armyworm and locusts.

Therefore, the workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to come up with ways that could help do away with a surge of invasive species.

Mr Madzonga noted that addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector would lead to improved agricultural production, food security, nutrition, employment opportunities, economic development and trade.

He stated that there was need for stakeholders within the agriculture sector to work in a cohesive manner and combine efforts to overcome challenges.

“This event is also meant to implement the project on support towards operationalisation of the Southern African Development Committee Regional Agricultural policy,” he said.

The project, according to Mr Madzonga, was aimed at boosting production, productivity, competitiveness, food and nutrition security and market access in individual countries. ENDS