19 Nov 2020

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism started issuing export permits to allow for the market and export of Phane worms to neighbouring countries on the 12th October.

Responding to a question from Selebi-Phikwe East MP Mr Kgoberego Nkawana, the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng said the facilitations to export had been done through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources.

She expressed hope that it would be carried out better after the anticipated opening of the borders between Botswana and the neighbouring countries.

Minister Kereng said 7 368 of 50 kg bags harvested from Selebi Phikwe and surrounding areas as of July this year.

She said the amount of harvested Phane translated to thousands of Pula, while the market price for 50 kg when sold outside the country ranged from P1 000 to P2 000.

She said the ban on international travel meant that those who had export permits in most cases could not travel to South Africa to sell their harvest due to the COVID-19 protocols that were in place both in Botswana and South Africa.

Mr Nkawana had wanted to know if the minister was aware that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families that harvested tonnes of Phane early this year were not able to dispose of it.

He had also wanted to know when the Minister would facilitate the export of harvested Phane to external markets and whether she was aware that the harvest, valued at several thousands of Pula would go to waste soon. Ends