12 Jul 2021

Financial assistance, support services and subsidies are key towards boosting of the rural agricultural economy.

As a result, farmers, who enjoy such support and willing to diversify or expand their production, are able to realise their dreams. One such farmer is Mr Reich Smith in the outskirt of Nxaraga in the Eastern part of Maun. He is at the forefront of diversification and aiming at expanding and boosting his production.

Mr Smith received assistance from Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) at the initial stages of his project, having taken over the farm in 2017. 

The farm is 200 hectares and 60 of them are under irrigation. Mr Smith looks forward to utilising the remaining land effectively as well.

He revealed during a recent meeting with Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake that he was looking into expanding his project to diversify and increase production.

Initially, he said he planted bananas, lucerne, maize, oranges, tomatoes, green pepper and butternuts. 

In addition, he had been using part of the farm for oranges and the aim was to expand the plantation to 20 hectares.

Mr Smith said he recorded a loss after the bananas he planted on a three-hectare failed due to cold temperatures. 

He experimented with other fruit varieties such as mangoes, litches and avocadoes to see what was suitable for the area.

Meanwhile, the Department of Crop Production director, Mr Joshua Moloi explained that the Ngamiland region was good for crop production because it had fertile soil. Other areas with fertile soils included Ngwaketse West, Kweneng and Ghanzi and plants such as nuts, melons and sorghum were doing well. 

However, he stated that it was unfortunate that most farmers did not like ploughing sorghum because they felt it was labour intensive. He also explained that it was important to add nutrients, but such also depended on specific crops. Mr Moloi said there was an improved type of grafted oranges with a shortened maturity period. BITC investment manager, Ms Mpho Ntshese, stated that they facilitated Mr Smith’s project from its initial stages and further assisted him with work permits, marketing besides offering advice where necessary.

Ms Ntshese said BITC offered a one-stop service centre to reduce red tapes that were a stumbling block to business. She said they worked closely with Mr Smith and were ready to assist him should he decide to expand his project. ends