31 Aug 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday continued his local agro-tourism promotion drive by holding both cabinet and presidential COVID-19 task team meetings at Bon Femme Farm along the Gaborone-Molepolole Road.

Speaking in an interview, deputy permanent sectary to the president, Ms Emma Peloetletse said the initiative would gradually be rolled out to all districts across the country after the current Parliament session.

“The initiative is currently being rolled out in farms in the proximity of Gaborone to cut down on travelling time, as cabinet members  need to attend the ongoing parliamentary session, but it will however be extended to all districts at the end of Parliament session,” she said.

She therefore pleaded with district commissioners and local authorities countrywide to facilitate farmers in their regions to register their farms for consideration.  

Government, she explained, had prioritised agro-tourism as an important sector for reviving the tourism industry.

Agro-tourism also had the potential to uplift livelihoods, she said.

 She noted that the presidential initiative to host cabinet meetings  at citizen-owned farms was a way of motivating and capacitating small and micro farmers to fully utilise their facilities and ensure sustainability.

Owner of the events and integrated farming establishment Mr Victor Kebakile applauded government’s efforts to promote integrated farming and agro-tourism.

He said hosting the high level meetings would give him a platform to create new opportunities additional income generation and an avenue for direct marketing to consumers.

Mr Kebakile applauded the President for the initiative which he said would go a long way in empowering and developing grassroots farmers. 

The farmers would not only contribute to the country’s food basket but would also revive the tourism industry, he said.

He said if fully implemented, agro-tourism could be the backbone of current and future socio-economic development of Botswana.

Agro-tourism, he said, presented an unique opportunity to combine aspects of the tourism and agricultural industries to provide a number of educational and social benefits.BOPA