07 Sep 2020

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored farmers to participate meaningfully in both agro-tourism and agribusiness.

   He was speaking during a cabinet and presidential COVID-19 task team meetings held at Mr Victor Mothibi’s farm in Senamakoleng near Gabane September 7.

 President Masisi urged Mr Mothibi to improve his livestock breed in alignment with the initiative of donating rams and bucks to enthusiastic small stock producers.

 Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng noted that government had developed a mixed agricultural land use policy to allow for part usage of arable farm land for agro-tourism activities.

  On the presidential initiative to host cabinet meetings on citizen owned farms, Minister Kereng said it was meant to motivate  farmers to not only improve the country’s food basket but also ensure livelihoods sustainability through farm tourism.

  With safari tourism plummeting  amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Kereng said agro-tourism could be the backbone of current and future socio-economic development in Botswana.

  Government, Ms Kereng said, had prioritised agro-tourism as an important sector to revive the tourism industry while her ministry was committed to creating an enabling environment for the success of agro-tourism projects.

   She said farmers needed to diversify farm usage to cater for all activities including cultural educational tours.  

 “It is equally important to highlight that farms should be developed to lure the youth for educational farm tours and school field trips,” she said.

 Meanwhile, farm owner, Mr Mothibi has commended government for the promotion of agro-tourism drive.

  The campaign, he said, presented an unique opportunity to combine aspects of tourism and agriculture industries in order to provide educational as well as social benefits to tourists and communities.  

  It was also an opportunity for farmers to fully maximize farm space and enhance livelihoods sustainability, he said.

  Mr Mothibi pleaded with farmers to establish clusters and  trusts in order to speak with  one voice and meet higher market demands.ends