07 Dec 2020

The Agricultural Policy will be reviewed to help the country cope with modern challenges, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Mr Karabo Gare has announced.

 Speaking in an interview following cabinet and COVID-19 presidential task team meetings chaired by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane yesterday, Mr Gare said the policy was last reviewed in 1991.

The policy addressed a number of issues among them market trends in agriculture and challenges, he added.

Meanwhile, Minister Gare said Botswana had not yet realised the agricultural sector’s full potential as evidenced by the huge import bill the country was still experiencing.

Through food imports, the country was exporting jobs, he explained.

He said the sector could help in economic diversification and also broaden the revenue generation base.

The cabinet meeting was held at Senamakole lands, where Mr Patrick Malope and his wife Mpudu, run an integrated farm.

Mr Malope said they first  developed the area as a place of residence five years ago but ventured into farming, starting with sheep and goats.

He said after digging a borehole with a better yield last year, they embarked on vegetable farming.

The couple has now added breeding of Simmental cattle. 

In addition, the farm keeps chicken layers and supplies Gaborone market as well as schools with eggs.

Located less than a kilometer from Gabane along the Gabane-Kanye, the couple said proximity to the city had provided access to a bigger market. Ends