06 Sep 2020

In line with Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and government’s commitment to highlight and focus Batswana to be food self-sufficient, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his cabinet took decision to hold cabinet as well as COVID–19 task team meetings at various farms around the country.

A news release from BDP says that speaks to the reality that self-sufficiency in food should start where the production is and grow the sector exponentially.

“The focus is on agribusiness and inspiring Batswana to participate meaningfully in this very important sector,” states the release.

On the back drop of this initiative, the President has implored every civil servant to align themselves with this vision and his requirement to cascade growing production even for start-up entities is instructive.

The release states that the endeavour is reassuring to Batswana who are taking advantage of government’s recent policy under the amendment of the development control code with respect to the mixed agricultural land use that allows for part use of arable farm land for agro-tourism activities.

The release further states that revitalising agribusiness and agro-tourism will contribute positively to rural development.

“The BDP takes pleasure in every noble initiative to capacitate local entrepreneurs and welcomes efforts that have been put in place to support and promote locally produced goods and services,” states the release.

The release further states that citizen empowerment and food security remain among President Masisi’s top priorities and that he has, through a personal initiative, given support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s efforts towards food security by donating rams and bucks to small stock producers who show great potential and enthusiasm.

“This initiative is an exemplary effort towards nurturing inclusivity and speak well to actualisation of the BDP manifesto”.

The party also commends the BDP led government as it continues to deliver on the manifesto promises of creating more opportunities for Batswana to prosper by empowering SMEs.

The release states that small stock markets have been identified in Norway for up to 500 tonnes of lamb mutton and goat meat as well as in Saudi Arabia.

These will form part of the EFTA–SACU agreement for Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia and with such opportunity for local producers, President Masisi encourages Batswana to go into goat and sheep farming and further encourages everyone who is successful in any sector of the economy to lend a helping hand to those that show potential. ENDS