09 May 2022

There is a need to meet the national demand for food in the short-term and to break into international markets in the long-term, says Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao.

Speaking at Mosisedi Farms harvest day on Saturday, Mr Molao urged farmers to meet the national food demand and to reduce the hefty food import bill.

The minister commended Mosisedi farmers for their contribution to food security and economic growth.  He also noted that agriculture was the mainstay of rural economies and the country's economy.

Mr Molao said his ministry was doing everything in its power to boost food security in the country.

He noted that the national cereal production was currently at 85 per cent and that Mosisedi farmers contributed 20 per cent of the amount.

Minister Molao also said there was need to improve infrastructure in production areas. 

He said there was need for telecommunication services, roads and information communication technology as they enabled farmers to produce more and attract the youth to stay in farms full-time.

The minister also said they were in the process of increasing arable farming clusters and that when fully operational they would cultivate over 58 000 hectares. 

He praised Mosisedi and other farmers for ensuring food availability during the initial confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also said the agricultural sector was badly affected by the pandemic and that government responded swiftly through an economic recovery plan to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. He noted that farmers were financed to a maximum of P1 million per business. 

“The package was interest free, with a six months grace period and 24 months repayment duration and all the money was utilised,” said Mr Molao.

He said the plan helped to safeguard employment for over 4 000 people who were on the verge of losing their jobs. 

Mr Molao also said the crop production sector was a critical component of the economy and that it supported the livestock sub-sector. ends