10 Jul 2023

Matopi Cluster Commercial Farmers Association has been commended for commercialising agriculture to help improve food security and reduce the import bill.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi showered the association with accolades when handing over the cluster electrification project to the farmers near Matopi in the North East District on Saturday.

Mr Molebatsi said most of the food items consumed in the country were imported outside, especially from South Africa.

Currently, he said 65 million cubic litres of milk were required in the country annually, but the country produced only 13 per cent whilst most of the milk was from South Africa.

The Matopi Cluster Commercial Farmers Association comprises 10 farms covering a land of over 2 000 hectares, situated between Matsiloje village and Matopi settlement.

Mr Molebatsi said it was high time that Batswana took farming seriously to improve food security in the country, adding that the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture of improving food security was attainable as resources such as land, water and electricity were readily available.

Mr Molebatsi promised that most challenges faced by would be commercial farmers would be addressed through Temo Letlotlo programme.

He appealed to the association to accommodate investors who wanted to take advantage of the stable political environment in the country and invest in the country.

Mr Molebatsi said government had taken a decision to upgrade to bitumen standard the Mmadinare to Matsiloje border post gravel road to enhance the safe transportation of farm produce to the markets.

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) was also commended for completing the electrification project well on time and within budget.

Matopi Cluster Commercial Farmers Association chairperson, Mr Sakhile Hlophe said the association identifies itself through fodder, noting that the farms were firstly advertised in 2016, followed by the formation of a syndicate and was officially registered in 2022. It is 100 per cent citizen owned and women make 40 per cent of the Association.

Mr Hlophe said their association had made a number of achievements, citing the clearing of 300 hectares of land and that the farms were producing a variety of crops that included vegetables and ornamentals and had created employment for 23 Batswana, mostly women.

“We want to have a foot print as an association and we have created permanent jobs and temporary jobs for labours,” he added.

He said ground water was still a challenge and about five farmers were sourcing water from Ramokgwebana River. 

He further noted that they still experienced problem such as elephants invasion, Foot and Mouth Disease and illegal gold mining in the area.

“We have registered many such cases of illegal gold mining and nothing is being done to alleviate such a problem,” he added.

“We are still appealing to government to assist us with the 30km game proof electric fence to prevent animals from destroying our crops,” he said.

Another challenge Mr Hlophe cited was the poor roads and lack of water for irrigation. 

He noted that they had applied to draw about 27 million cubic metres of water from Dikgatlhong Dam.

Regarding electricity connection, he explained that it was costly for most farmers and appealed to government to assist them.

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) Customer Service manager (north), Mr Cassious Rampupunyane said the electricity connected was reliable.

In her welcome remarks, Kgosi Tshimologo Toteng of Matopi commended Ms Goabone Molefhe, one of the few women with passion for farming.

He appealed to government to support women in feeding the nation.

Giving a vote of thanks, MP for Tati East, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said the project had created jobs for the residents of Matsiloje and Matopi.

He promised the association that he would request the Minister for Environment and Tourism to visit the area to discuss the issue of problem animals destroying their produce. Ends