28 Jul 2024

Government’s commitment to transform agriculture through availing to Batswana improved and more inclusive programmes has enhanced the sector’s capability to steer the country towards achieving food security.

Officiating the 50^th  anniversary of the Ghanzi show on Friday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said if every Motswana was to effectively use programmes at their disposal such as Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo to create wealth for themselves, they would build and enhance both household and national food security.

“With all these programmes at your disposal, achieving food security, creating employment through agriculture and generating wealth for ourselves are an achievable dream. These programmes are designed specially to transform our agriculture to yield more profitable results through the adoption of smart technologies,” he said, making reference to Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo.

Dr Masisi said with agriculture being a primary sector that touched the lives of many Batswana, government had made investing in it top priority whose aim was to improve and uplift the livelihoods of citizens as well as diversify the country’s economy.

He said to transform the sector and make it more productive as well as ensure that it became appealing to the youth, government had adopted the use of technology in some production processes to enhance output.

President Masisi cited an example of  government’s  recent import of high quality  bulls and semen of high quality genetics from the USA as well as dairy goats from Australia. These imports, he said aimed to enhance and expand Botswana’s quality gene pool through embryo transplant and artificial insemination at the National Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre and Laboratory in Ramatlabama.

“The acquisition and nation-wide distribution of advanced technology-mediated reproductive services for cattle, goats and sheep will be availed to Batswana at a subsidised cost,” he said.  

He said part of the process to make that a reality would include refurbishing and equipping of all artificial insemination centres across the country to make them more technologically advanced and ready to serve the agricultural needs of Batswana.

Additionally, he said plans were underway to carry out infrastructure developments such as roads construction, power and telecommunications reticulation to production areas in order to improve markets accessibility.

Regarding the Ghanzi show, Dr Masisi said its sustained longevity since inception in 1974 made it one of the most successful district agricultural shows in the country, noting that it was thus befitting to celebrate its achievements  over the years . 

The President said having grown over time, in the process of which it had entrenched itself as a not-to-miss event in Botswana’s calendar, the show had succeeded in creating a conducive environment for farmers, business community and individuals through the creation of employment opportunities in transport operation, catering services, hospitality and artworks for the people of Ghanzi and beyond.

Dr Masisi said the show had encouraged gainful farming to some of those who interacted with it as it inspired some to venture into farming while because of its influence some had grown from being small subsistence farmers to become big commercial farmers.

Minister of Agriculture Mr Fidelis Molao concurred that government was indeed intent on re- establishing farming as one of the mainstays of the economy by reversing the current status quo where productivity in agriculture was quite low.

“Our production per unit is very low. Statistics show low birth rates of less than 50 per cent in the main productive animals annually, high mortality rates of more than ten per cent are also recorded, low off-take rates for both cattle and small stock alike,” he said.

All these, he said required a turn-around that encompassed the adoption of good management practices that could help enhance productivity levels.

Mr Molao said as part of its interventions government had prioritised agriculture and the use of digital technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“In view of the foregoing, government has partnership with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to remodel Lobu small stock farm into a smart farm by introducing smart productions and management systems. The technologies deployed include data management systems, animal health monitoring and online auctions, virtual trainings,” he said.

Another intervention he said was the upgrading of the Ramatlabama AI Centre from being a cattle AI centre to being an all-round national assisted reproductive laboratory, adding that a robust drive to build capacity in the area of human resource was also ongoing.

Giving a vote of thanks, Ghanzi North MP, Mr John Thiite, expressed gratitude for the Ghanzi district agricultural show’s role as a beacon of growth and opportunity for local farmers and businesses. 

The celebrations, not only reflected past achievements but also the district’s optimism for the future, benefitting both the region and the nation, he said

Mr Thiite acknowledged government for introducing and implementing initiatives crucial for agricultural sector growth, acting as catalysts for innovation and transformation.

On other issues, he legislator highlighted several ongoing projects in the district, including land servicing, infrastructure development, clinic expansions, school construction, and road improvements such as the Bere-Kacgae access road and the East-West Hanahai-New Xade tarred road. Ends