28 Aug 2023

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao, has encouraged the National Agricultural Show organisers to ensure that it reflects a real national outlook.

Welcoming participants recently, Minister Molao said the show, held annually, must be the apex of all regional shows undertaken across the country.

“To this end, one wants to see all the exhibits that won prizes at different regional shows across the country competing at the national show and I demand that this must change next year.

“It cannot be right that the animals from Ghanzi, Voorslag and Mookane among other district shows that had won prizes were not brought to the national show. Let us reset and change.

“I demand this change for next year. We need to be cohesive and present the national output,” he said.

Mr Molao said the show, held from August 21-26, had witnessed an increase in the quality and quantity of exhibits and exhibitors, especially under livestock and crop sub-sectors -- a clear indication that it continued to grow.

He said the event was graced by guests from outside the country, particularly Dr Cliff Lamb from Texas A&M University, who was in Botswana and his team following President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s state visit to the US last year.

He said: “Dr Lamb and his team were in Botswana to cement what was started by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Texas in December last year, which is the frame work of the current and future collaboration.

“Additionally, a team has been finalised to finalise the MoU in collaboration with Texas A&M Agric Life.”

He said during the visit, the team went to various institutions in the agricultural sector and those engaged in the use of modern technology, adding the relationship was a worthy of an investment.

“Therefore cattle bought from Texas, USA will be used to improve genetics merits by among others production of embryos for both domestic use and export market adding that the semen will be made available to all Batswana,” he said.

Recently, he said, President Masisi launched the mind-set change campaign aimed at driving transformation and fostering a productive shift in attitudes and perspectives.

Mr Molao urged all to embrace the mind-set change initiative and adapt to the teachings of the national agricultural show theme by enhancing agriculture productivity through use of modern technology.

He said modern technology enhanced agricultural productivity while adoption of product related technology would increase output.

He said government was doing all it can to show its commitment and unwavering support to farmers and would continue to unlock more opportunities in the beef sector for all to benefit and adopt.

He urged the farmers to use the recent dispensation of drought subsidies.

“Subsidies will also provide 100 per cent grant for solar electrification on fields in elephant prone areas through collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the extended impact accelerator subsidy to cover irrigation of field crops through borehole equipping and water reticulation in crop production farms,” he said.

For her part, ABSA Bank Botswana Managing Director, Ms Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane, said the bank was engaging in yet another journey of partnership and commitment to the agricultural sector.

Ms Pheko-Moshagane said farmers were the nation’s unsung heroes despite their dedication to feed the nation and contribute to the diversification of the economy.

“Farmers are the pillars of dedication, resilience and hard work by engaging in the noble profession of farming. She added that their efforts have collectively shaped the nation’s food security drive and sustainable growth,” she said.

As the show’s main sponsors, Ms Pheko-Moshagane reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empower local farmers and consistent support to building the sector grow in its strength, saying the bank held a firm belief that agriculture was not just a sector but a driving force with great potential to change the foundation of the nation’s prosperity.

She added that said over the years, ABSA had sponsored agricultural activities to the tune of P500 million to date, showing confidence in the potential of farmers and the agricultural industry in order to drive economic growth.

Member of Parliament of Gaborone North, Mr Mpho Balopi, said the show was tangible evidence of what the government and the dedicated farming community were doing to the agricultural sector.

Mr Balopi said it was important for the show grounds to remain active throughout the year, showcasing what various players were doing.

“Without doubt the show was of international standards and it was a demonstration of mindset change towards the sector and clear indication of what commitment, focus, dedication and good work could usher,” he said.
The show chairpeson, Mr Thapelo Setlalekgosi, urged women and youth to take advantage of the various opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Mr Setlalekgosi said though demanding and labour intensive, the sector had business opportunities that were profitable even though done on a small scale such as production of mushrooms, herbs, other vegetables and poultry and small stock farming and could be done on a small piece of land.

He said  though efforts were being made to improve the cattle sector by the use of advanced technology, the small stock sector was left behind. Therefore, he said, it was important to work on tapping and availing small stock semen and embryos. ENDS