15 Feb 2024

Lack of commitment by beneficiaries of the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) programme has been described as one of the causes of failure of the programme

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao said lack of commitment had resulted in the programme not meeting its objective of eradicating poverty.

He said government was working on possible improvements of the programme as the ministry was rationalising its staff with a view to address the personnel needs.

Furthermore, he said the ministry was reviewing all existing policies, programmes, strategies and value chains for the different livestock commodities, including LIMID to develop an integrated, sustainable output based and transformative programme that would improve livestock productivity.

Mr Molao also said the challenge of the LIMID programme ranged from shortage of resources such as transport and personnel, adding that although it was addressed by requesting those resources from other departments.

He said they also experienced lots of applications over the years, which resulted in a backlog.

Mr Molao said the total number of applications received in the last cycle of the LIMID programme in Bobirwa District were 2 820.

He said in Bobonong there were 600 applications, Mmadinare 500, Tsetsebjwe 350, Tobane 400 and Sefophe 150, Tshokwe, Robelela, Moletemane and Molalatau stood at 100 while Lepokole,

Damochujenaa, Gobanjo, Semolale and Motlhabaneng each had 70 applicants, making a total of 2 820.

He, nevertheless, said 1 023 applicants had been approved, but that the applicants had not yet received their packages.

He clarified that the total number of applications to be assisted in each village annually depended on funds allocated to the district and the availability of stock in the locality.

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked about the total number of applications for the LIMID programme per village in the last cycle of applications

MP Lucas further wanted to know the total number of applications per village that had been approved, but had not yet received their packages.

Moreover, he wanted to know the total number of applications who would be assisted in each village annually and the challenge and possible improvements to the programme. ENDS