19 Jan 2021

 It is important for the agricultural sector to ensure that the country has enough food.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Jimmy Opelo told a press briefing in Gaborone on Monday that shortage of food could have devastating effects such as skyrocketing food prices. He said the agricultural sector operations and activities continued to be classified as essential services, adding that delivery of agricultural services continued uninterrupted.

He implored farmers to engage fully in agriculture activities by utilising government programmes such as ISPAAD and LIMID to feed the nation. Mr Opelo highlighted that there was increased use of digital platforms to provide extension services and access to information without the need for physical human contact.

Extension officers, he said, had formed WhatsApp groups with their farmers through which critical information was shared. He further noted that agricultural shows and auctions could also be done virtually.

Mr Opelo indicated that curfew movement permits for special services and operations were available, adding that there were activities that by their nature were best done at night when temperatures were lower such as transportation of one-day old chicks.

The ministry, in collaboration with National Development Bank, was implementing industry support fund, with interest free loans to mitigate effects of COVID-19 as well as to boost agricultural production.

He said a total of P100 million was availed for the support.

He indicated that the other strategic intervention to support the sector in the midst of the pandemic was horticulture sector impact accelerator subsidy, which was implanted in collaboration with CEDA.  The aim, he said, was to promote consistent production and supply of horticulture products locally, adding that a total of P20 million was availed under the facility and farmers would be provided with 50 perc ent grant.

Mr Opelo said his ministry was working on development of virtual marketing tool called Agrima.

He said it was a platform that allowed producers and traders to register as participants in the horticulture industry, adding that market centres to horticultural centres would be refurbished.

For her part, safety, health and environment coordinator, Ms Tiny Rammika, highlighted that her ministry was working tirelessly to make sure that all in the agricultural sector complied with COVID-19 protocols.

She indicated that safety inspections were carried out across the districts to ensure compliance to protocols and come up with corrective measures where there was lack of compliance. Ms Rammika said they had introduced shift work to reduce congestions in offices thereby promoting social distancing. Ends