17 Jan 2021

Small businesses have been encouraged to resort to using biogas technology since it is an economical form of energy.

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi, said this when visiting poultry farmers along Ngotwane River, recently.

He said biogas technology would be resourceful in reducing costs for small business owners because the technology used available waste material.

Mr Moagi, who is also Ramotswa MP, said the technology would drastically cut costs because farrmers could use it to cook, light and heat factories.

On other issues, Mr Moagi said there was an opportunity for young farmers to build a poultry slaughter facility in the area.

Most farmers used slaughtering facilities in Kgatleng, which proved to be costly to them.

Mr Moagi said young people could group themselves and take advantage of the newly revised Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and open slaughter facilities in the area.

At Tsheby’s Farm, Ms Mercy Odirile, reiterated the need for a slaughter facility in the area, saying they were promised assistance by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

She said land was available for the facility and only lacked the financial muscle to build the structure.

Ms Flora Maswabi of MENOMOS Poultry Association stated that the association had more than 100 members though not all were active due to various challenges.

Ms Maswabi appreciated government support and pointed out that they were supplying chicken meat to schools in the area.

She hoped that the quota allocated to each member could be increased.

Other poultry farmers visited by Mr Moagi complained of challenges such as high feeding costs, thieving and market access.

In an interview, Mr Moagi said he was impressed with the number of young people engaged in poultry farming, most of whom were self-funded.

He encouraged them to work hard and be exemplary to their peers. Ends