19 Oct 2020

Cluster farms have been identified as a step in the right in mitigating impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food security.

Mmadinare MP, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi, said this during a kgotla meeting in Sefhophe recently.

The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in collaboration with SPEDU, BAMB, ISPAAD and co-operatives to sensitise members of the Molemo wa Popagano Cluster on how they could optimise their endeavour.

Mr Molebatsi, also Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, acknowledged the potential of cluster farms, adding that farmers could join forces to venture into commercial farming.

He advised members of the Molemo wa Popagano Cluster to utilise services put in place to help commercial farmers.

Mr Molebatsi lamented that a lot of government funds were used in the fight against COVID-19.

“We want people to start making an effort in changing their livelihoods through government programmes set to assist them,” he said.

He further explained that the region was renowned for producing potatoes and even exporting to South Africa.

For his part, the cluster chairperson, Mr Mookami Ben, explained that Molemo wa Popagano was a cluster fencing of co-operative farmers in Sefhophe area, who had joined forces to ask government for a cluster fencing facility.

He said he was delighted on behalf of all members of the cluster for the platform bestowed upon them to raise concerns and be familiarised with different government programmes intended to help them venture into commercial farming.

SPEDU agriculture sector coordinator, Mr Maiba Samunzala explained that they were delighted to learn of a formation of a cluster because government had been advocating for co-operative ventures.

He added that Ntswaneng dam, located in the area could be extended if funds were availed for the benefit of farming in the area.
Furthermore, he said, SPEDU intended to engage in underwater surveying in the SPEDU region, adding that the Molemo wa Popagano Cluster could benefit from the development.

BAMB CEO, Mr Leonard Morakaladi said the formation of a cluster was a step in the right direction towards food security being prioritised government.

He highlighted that from the 3 300 hectares, the farmers could yield approximately P14 million in returns.

Mr Morakaladi said the cluster should set itself a target, adding that in terms of yields, a minimum of yield per hectare of cereal crops should yield three tones, adding that soil sampling for testing had already been done.

Furthermore, he said, BAMB was aware that most farmers faced a challenge of financial constraints when they venture into farming, explaining that programmes were readily available to aid farmers through seeds and fertilizers, adding that their yield could be used as security to cover input costs.

He highlighted that the country was facing a high demand of legume crops and maize, noting that there was a huge demand for leguminous crops outside Botswana. ENDS