08 Mar 2023

There are a variety of benefits and opportunities that can be tapped from using prickly pear cactus also known as Motoroko in Setswana.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Local government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele when answering a parliamentary question on Tuesday.

Mr Modukanele said benefits included medicinal properties for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, hangovers as well as dietary benefits when consumed since it is was a wild fruit.

“By its nature it can be used as living hedges around farms and farmsteads to reduce wind erosion and related land degradation,” he said.

Mr Modukanele, who was answering on behalf of Minister of Environment and Tourism, added that all the benefits presented some of the commercial opportunities that can be explored by interested parties on Motoroko plant and it can even be extended to lateral industries on bioenergy, industrial oil and starch among others.

He also said the ministry encouraged communities to utilise and manage their natural resources in their areas through the community based natural resources management approach and some had already started utilising resources around their areas.

“The Moshana Village Community could equally start mobilising themselves for utilising Motoroko and indeed other natural resources in their area,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Kanye North, Mr Thapelo Letsholo had asked the minister to explain the commercial opportunities available to residents of Moshana attributable to Motoroko plant that was plaguing the village. ENDS