17 Feb 2021

The Shoshong legislator, Mr Aubrey Lesaso has called for the development of the agricultural sector, saying it promises to reduce the import bill and create employment.

Debating the 2021/22 budget proposals in Parliament on Tuesday, MP Lesaso said there were opportunities in dairy farming as the country’s import bill remained high.

He further said the country spent P280 million annually to import milk for learners, adding this showed unlimited opportunities in the long value chain. 

MP Lesaso said there should be synergies between Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) and Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) to ensure agriculture graduates were trained in business management and funded.

He further said the country was also faced with shortage of goats, yet it had secured an international lucrative market. This, he said, was a challenge to the country to improve its quality and quantity of goats.He said his constituency had numerous farmers who should be encouraged to produce milk and small stock, adding however the road to the production areas had to be maintained.

Mr Lesaso also appealed to public officers to improve their work ethics, saying they were the reason the country was experiencing the current economic shock.

He said government had trained the public officers in international universities with the belief that upon their graduation, they would be at the forefront of developing the country but instead they had disappointed.

MP Lesaso said he could not understand how the economy could have wastage of 37 per cent when the public service had professionals.

Meanwhile, the Shoshong legislator called for a higher usage of solar energy, saying it should be increased to 50 per cent from the current 15.

Talking about matters pertaining to his constituency, MP Lesaso said Shoshong needed a storm water drainage system especially since the village was between hills.

He further said 36 pupils at Shoshong Senior Secondary School were quarantined and he applauded the community and head teacher for the role they played in supporting such learners.

The school needs maintenance and there is shortage of staff accommodation, he added.

He further said Tobela should be provided with classrooms to cater for Standard One to Three; as pupils travelled 15 kilometres every day to access the nearest school. In Kalamare, he said, residents requested for a maternity ward in their clinic.  Ends