22 Jun 2021

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) continues to train agricultural entrepreneurs on use of modern day techniques.

Speaking during graduation ceremony of 14 participants in Gaborone recently, chief financial officer, Mr Godfrey Molefe, said the training would enable graduates to enhance their produce and expand their market base.

Mr Molefe also explained that the graduates were exposed to different technologies such as greenhouses and drip irrigation that would improve output of the horticulture commodities.

The programme empowered trainees to have the skills to operate and maintain their horticulture enterprises, thus facilitating an environment that fostered diversification of Botswana’s economy and job creation.

By completing the programme, Mr Molefe said, trainees had empowered themselves with necessary skills and knowledge to successfully run and maintain their enterprises.

“They can now sustain their businesses as a result of the practical experience of what enterprise management entails, and of course, best industry practice,” he said

He further urged the graduates to be ready to rise to challenges, adding that they would face more challenging environments, different from the setup at Glen Valley.

He also encouraged them to make their own businesses and to create employment, adding that the future of the country was in its ability to feed itself.

He urged them to make a difference and change mindset about farming.

One of the speakers, Ms Onneile Lebonetse-Wale, noted that she quit her lab technician job to pursue farming.

She encouraged graduates to work hard to make their business sustainable, adding that commercial farmers should always take risks.

She urged them to focus not just on the practical skills to grow, harvest and sell their products, but also  to focus on building strong connections with their communities.

ENDS