20 Oct 2013

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has urged Batswana to take advantage of the national fruit tree nursery in Ditladi to plant fruit trees in their backyards and in fully fledged orchards.

Speaking at the official opening of the national fruit tree nursery on  October 17, Dr Kedikilwe said a fruit tree in every homestead in the country would go a long way in improving the food security situation, nutrition and the wellbeing of the people of this country. He said the nursery would not only produce seedlings to enable the development of the fruit tree industry for the entire country, but would enable Batswana an opportunity to access seedlings all the time.

Dr Kedikilwe said with the availability of seedlings locally, Batswana will no longer be limited by permits and other bureaucratic requirements associated with importing them from other countries as has been the case. He also noted that the nursery came at a time when government has introduced integrated farming, which enables farmers to combine different farming enterprises that are compatible and support each other in an enclosed land.

He stressed that fruit trees should become a common feature in most farming systems across the country. Earlier on, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christiaan De Graaff said a study revealed that there is great potential for the  citrus industry in the country as demand is growing.

He said due to the growing demand, his ministry reserves a total of P193 500 annually for the importation of citrus seedlings and other fruit trees from South Africa, which are then sold at subsidised prices to local farmers to promote fruit tree production.

Minister De Graaff said as an indication of his ministry’s commitment to fruit production, it has grown 513 207 fruit trees on 815 hectares countrywide and oranges  take up 750 hectares. He also expressed hope that the national fruit tree nursery will benefit Batswana and promote fruit production. ENDS