14 Dec 2023

Agriculture remains a key sector in responding to the national economic agenda issues such as economic diversification, reduction of the import bill, employment creation and exploitation of export opportunities.

This was said by Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) chief digital officer, Mr Onkabetse Moatlhodi, at the Glen Valley Horticultural Incubation graduation ceremony held at Manyala Farms near Kgope on Tuesday.

Mr Moatlhodi said agriculture offered income generation and investment opportunities for individuals while the horticulture sub-sector was also a direct response to the country’s goal of attaining food self-sufficiency and food security.

He said LEA, mandated with entrepreneurship development had, through the Glen Valley horticulture incubator, been capacitating prospective and existing horticulture farmers to empower them to run sustainable, profitable and competitive horticultural enterprises.

“This programme therefore plays a crucial role in supporting and ensuring government efforts bear fruit,” he said. “It is noteworthy to, at this stage, mention that while the Authority is constrained to address all challenges afflicting the horticulture sub-sector, it has made some strides in facilitating access to serviced land by individuals showing potential to contribute to government’s ideals as well as advocacy on some of the initiatives.”

Mr Moatlhodi said the Glen Valley incubation programme had trained 262 farmers since inception in 2011 and at least 40 per cent of the graduates were contributing to the local economy through their involvement in the production and supply of horticulture commodities.

He said the extension of the import ban on certain vegetable commodities by a further two years should act as catalyst for them to work hard to feed the nation.

He added that in the state of the nation address last month, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the initiative had resulted in 71 per cent reduction of the import bill on fresh produce.

“The assertion on the benefit realised due to the import ban and its extension should motivate you to fully exploit opportunities posed by this initiative,” he said.

He also said the recent report on Botswana Horticulture Value Chain Mapping and Analysis (BHVCMA) facilitated by LEA showed an increase of local vegetable farmers from 1 034 in 2021/22 to 1 272 this year.

Mr Moatlhodi said LEA remained committed to providing support and guidance for them to realise their dreams and contribute to government ideals of achieving food security and employment creation.

A representative of the 13 graduates, Mr Tigele Mokobi, said he was blessed to be a part of the Glen Valley Incubation training programme.

Mr Mokobi said the training programme kept them on their toes and their trainers were patient with them.

“The programme is an eye-opener and needs someone who is eager to change their mind-set towards agriculture and learn new skills and knowledge to pursue their dream in agriculture,” he said. “We are thankful for the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme and believe that our dreams to excel in horticulture will come true more so we have agreed to form a cooperative society through which we will continue to work in partnership with other stakeholders.”

Giving an overview and training background, head of sector innovation responsible for the incubation programme at LEA, Mr Monyadiwa Masilo, said as facilitators they had witnessed trainees’ growth, passion and dedication to agriculture through the programme modules and training offered.

“Today you stand on the threshold of a new chapter in their life and I am confident that you are well equipped to make a significant impact on the field of horticulture,” he said.

Mr Masilo said the trainees’ perseverance and commitment were inspiring. He was  therefore confident that they were ready to take the world head on despite the challenges they may encounter.  Ends