19 Nov 2023

Batswana have been implored to do things differently, to ensure the Temo Letlotlo programme achieves the intended results of improving household and national food security.

“We have to work hard, with positive mindsets, to attain national food security,” Kanye District principal agricultural scientific officer, Ms Kelebonye Bareeleng said when addressing Moshana residents on November 16.

She explained that produce would be graded and sold to Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board thus earning farmers an income. She said farmers were categorised into four groups: micro, small, medium and large scale farmers.

Micro scale farmers have two levels, one and two, with level one including destitute persons and those who earn below P2 500, while level two are individuals with monthly income of up to P2 500, Ms Bareeleng said, adding that this category had to produce enough to meet their household food security needs and sell surplus to the market.

Farmers in this category are expected to cultivate one to four hectares of land.

Micro scale farmers level one, she said would get a 100 per cent subsidy, while level two would be expected to apply for loans at National Development Bank (NDB).

“Funds would be disbursed through Temo Letlotlo wallet and farmers would be the ones paying service providers,” explained Ms Bareeleng.

She said small, medium and large scale farmers were supported to produce grain for commercial basis.

This category would be assisted with loans through NDB and would be expected to make a compulsory donation of one bag of grain per hectare after harvesting, Ms Bareeleng informed residents.

She said produce would be graded before being taken to the market and farmers who met yield target and had quality produce would be rewarded through Mmoko reward package.

“The reward, which would be in the form of voucher would be only used for farming needs,” she added.  The loans, she emphasised  should be paid back before the next ploughing season and failure to do so would attract a five per cent penalty and such farmers would not be given loans for that season.

She said farmers would be visited at least four times, by extension officers until harvest time, to encourage them to take good care of their fields.

Agricultural scientific officer, Mr Samson Motlhala urged farmers to approach Temo Letlotlo with positive mindsets, for them to achieve positive results. He highlighted the need for farmers to form associations, in order to speak with one voice and to make communication between government and themselves easier.

Mr Motlhala informed residents that fields had to be fully fenced to avoid destruction of plants by animals.He said fencing was categorised into three being individual, group and cluster fencing, adding that for individual and group fencing, farmers were assisted with 50 per cent subsidy, while cluster fencing was 100 per cent subsidy.

Pertaining to those who do not have funds to meet the government half way, he said they could clear where the fence would be installed  and cut strong poles to be used.

“For group and cluster fencing, a constitution is required stating  how they were going to operate,” he said.He said those willing to buy tractors through the programme would be assisted with 50 per cent funding, adding that the tractor had to come with all implements.

Mr Motlhala also highlighted that farmers could group themselves and buy a tractor together.

“Those selling tractors should have registered with the programme,” he added.

Kgosi Seate Marumo II of Moshana advised residents to embrace mindset change, noting that it was necessary to do things differently in order to take the country forward.He said in every endeavour there were challenges, hence he implored residents to come up with solutions rather than give up.“I urge you all to take advantage of Temo Letlotlo and overcome any challenges you might encounter to ensure success,” he added.

Most villagers highlighted that their ploughing fields were rocky and tractor owners were unable to assist them, hence they used donkeys to plough.

They wanted to know if those who ploughed for them with donkeys would be paid and they were informed that it was still under discussion. ENDS