13 Sep 2020

Registered companies that supply seeds source most of their supply outside the country due to limited capacity locally.

According to the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Karabo Gare, in 2018, P70 million was spent on procurement of seeds through tender process of which at least P3 million was spent on local contracted farmers.

In 2019, Mr Gare said P60 million was spent through the tender process of which P1.3 million was spent on locally contracted farmers while in  2020 P32.9 million was spent on through coupon system for purchase of seeds and payments were still going on.

He, however, confirmed that there were crop varieties, which had been developed and released by the ministry on which companies were engaged on contractual basis to produce seeds.

Part of these seeds would then be distributed to farmers through programmes such as ISPAAD, said Mr Gare.

The minister further explained that companies had been engaged in the past with the latest engaged in 2017/2018 to produce and supply indigenous certified seed for the ministry and 13 farmers were identified on a two-year contract.

Mr Gare pointed out that the crop varieties, which were contracted included three sorghum varieties; Segaolane, Sephala   and BWS 5028, three maize varieties that included BWM 309, BWM 401AND Kalahari Early Pearl and two cowpeas varieties being Tswana and Inia 37 and  one millet variety which is Bontle.

He noted that the tender had started floating on September 9 to October, 6 and bidders were  invited to produce indigenous seeds and the seed would be used in programs such as ISPAAD and the public at large.

Thamaga-Kumakwane MP,  Mr Palelo Motaosane, had asked the minister whether the companies supplying seeds to farmers through ISPAAD were local.

He also asked Mr Gare to state the costs associated with supplying seeds for 2018/2020 period and if there were any plans to engage local farmers. ENDS