10 Mar 2021

Parliament on Tuesday gave approval for approximately P2.37 billion as the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security budget allocation for the upcoming financial year.

The National Assembly sanctioned the ministry budget after the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Karabo Gare had presented his ministry's budget estimates.

A total of P1.39 billion reccurent and P978 million development fund was approved including funds allocated to finance the operations of ministry departments and parastatals as well as to fund agricultural projects.

Mr Gare said his ministry would implement the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERPT) through instruments such as the Industry Support Facility in order to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural sector.

He said they would, among others, offer assistance in upscaling horticulture production, implementing the small stock and beef value chain strategies, enhancing the poultry sector, facilitating dairy development as well as improving grain production.

Making his contribution to the committee of supply debate, Vice President and Boteti West MP, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, said the agricultural value chain should be explored for better job creation and wealth generation.

He said he was pleased that the minister had mentioned promoting research and innovation through institutions such as the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), which Mr Tsogwane said was critical for the advancement of the sector.

Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said government should develop an overarching agricultural policy to promulgate strategies that would guide the sector.

Dr Gobotswang said government should provide a proper plan of how it intended to develop the small stock sector, stating that otherwise piecemeal plans could lead to abandoned after initial investment, citing the previous efforts to develop the ostrich industry.

Francistown South legislator, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, also called for comprehensive agricultural sector planning, including water sources would be developed to boost commercial agribusiness.He also urged government to subsidise the purchase of agricultural equipment and implements and for the the strengthening for producer and consumer cooperatives to support the development of small scale farmers. ENDS