04 Oct 2023

Batswana, especially the youth, have been advised to take advantage of agricultural value chains to better their lives.

Speaking during farm produce fair organised by Farmers clan in Mmathethe on Saturday, the area Member of Parliament, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, said it was vital for Batswana to partake in such events, to gather information and network, to be in a position to successfully exploit agricultural value chains.

“This event is in line with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset Agenda, on agricultural value chain development,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti, who is also Minister of Health, urged to the youth to be at the forefront of agricultural value chain development.

He appealed to potential sponsors to support such events, as they had potential to assist in attaining national food security and eventually contribute to employment creation.

Mr Omphemetse Mogorosi, founder of Farmers clan, highlighted that the idea behind farmers fair was to share valuable information with farmers, which would assist to propel the agriculture sector to greater heights.

He said the event was a platform for people to benchmark from various exhibitors and network, for the sector to be profitable, create employment, decrease import bill and attain national food security.

Seed-co Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Dialwa Kenatshele, said that being independent meant Batswana should be able to feed themselves, hence their presence at the fair to share information with farmers on how to attain food security.

He said Batswana should plough different products, which would lead to development of agricultural values chains, noting that farmers could visit their offices for different seeds and advise.

Mr Kenatshele advised farmers to always jump at opportunities such as farmers fair, to better equip themselves and be able to assist in creating an economy led by knowledge.

“We should have farmers who are knowledgeable, as that would assist in successfully feeding the nation,” he added.

Ms Amogelang Moabankwe from Hyper ball farms at Kotolaname in Kweneng District advised women and the youth to venture in to agricultural activities, especially value chains.

“Batswana decry lack of farming land, however value chains could be exploited without farming land,” she said.

She said value chains would also ensure that there were no surplus produce that would go bad, as they would be used to create different products, noting that would mean adding value and getting more from such products.

Ms Moabankwe said value chains would also bring developments closer to farms such as processing centres and that would boost the local economies in places adjacent to such farms.

“This would also create employment in such areas and decongest towns and cities. Other social ills such as crime would be reduced,” she added.

She said it was time to embrace mind-set change in the sector and view farming in a positive light, making it more attractive to Batswana, especially women and the youth. Ends