Government commits to assist Ngami Farmers
19 Oct 2024
Ngamiland community deserve to enjoy support just like other districts in the country, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo has said.
Addressing residents in Maun on Friday, Minister Gare said Ngamiland region should be recognised for its uniqueness, and be supported so that it could attain socio-economic growth through entrepreneurship.
Minister Gare, therefore, pledged government commitment to resolving payment delays and improving market access for Ngamiland farmers. He assured farmers that government would pay outstanding payments for cattle slaughtered at the Maun abattoir very soon.
Also, he explained that the Maja-A-Ikgorosa cattle feeding scheme was intended to transition non-EU eligible cattle to EU eligibility to enhance income opportunities. He noted that the programme would at first focus on green zones while also addressing challenges in red zones like Ngamiland.
“I wish to, therefore, discourage any thoughts and misinformation being peddled that as government, we are discriminating against the Ngamiland and any other non-green zone regions from accessing Maja-A-Ikgorosa. We are working on the solutions and these are not going to be achieved all at once. There are steps and consultations, which include consulting other countries and target-market regions,” he added.
Explaining more on the ministry's mandate, he said they sought to champion inclusivity and industrialise key strategic sectors through value-chain development.
Mr Gare said that government was creating sustainable value through livestock farming including new programmes or value-creating interventions such as Thuo Letlotlo and Maja-A-Ikgorosa.
BMC chief executive officer, Mr David Tsheboeng said government would retain Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) Maun abattoir in an endeavour to promote the interests of livestock producing industry.
Mr Tsheboeng said Maun abattoir was established to assist farmers to have access to the market and sell their livestock. He appreciated that the abattoir was faced with challenges but noted that efforts were underway to improve efficiency and ensure farmers get value for their hard work.
He said in 2010, the abattoir was not doing well and was at the verge of closing but farmers pleaded with government to cushion the organisation hence hence the subvention to allow its smooth running.
“We admit that we have shortfalls that need to be resolved and currently, we have paid P20 million to Ngamiland farmers who sold their animals from January this year up to September despite the challenges ,” he said.
Mr Tsheboeng appealed to farmers to continue supporting BMC with livestock, to ensure the plant performs efficiently and economically. He also shared some developments made to entice farmers and restore their waning confidence in the abattoir citing increased prices and free transportation of animals from the quarantines to the abattoir saying that was an indication that they wanted farmers to reap the economic benefits of their animals.
With such developments, he said BMC still remained competitive as there was no where farmers could enjoy such benefits of free transportation and better buying prices.
“We are also making efforts to secure more lucrative markets in some countries”, he said.
He said that country such as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have shown interest in buying meat from Ngamiland region, adding that they were also exploring local markets.
Earlier, some residents pleaded with government to declare some zones which had never experienced Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak green zone and to also improve the turnaround times for payment of farmers supplying the abattoir with animals. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Esther Mmolai
Location : Maun
Event : kgotla meeting
Date : 19 Oct 2024
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