20 Nov 2013

There are no backyard gardens that failed due to shortage of water, Parliament has learnt.

Answering a question from the MP for Kanye North, Mr Kentse Rammidi, the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, however, said there were cases of backyard gardens that were non-operational due to production challenges such as delays in connection to local water reticulation system as well as delays in production of seedlings or water being cut due to delayed billing.

He said these challenges were being addressed. Assistant Minister Matlhabaphiri explained that when backyard gardens were conceptualised and started being rolled out, they were expected to use portable water complemented by harvesting rain water and where beneficiaries did not have standpipes , plans were made to connect them.

He said the current severity of water scarcity, which was a central issue in the country, was not anticipated. However, because of water scarcity, government had resolved to downsize the roll-out of backyard gardens and implement more alternative packages.

He said the poverty eradication task team was working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that backyard gardens are rolled out where there is sufficient water. Ends