Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has reduced the import bill of fruits and vegetables by 71 per cent, from R861 million to about R247 million.
Speaking at the official opening of the P65 million state-of-art Safe Pro Cold Storage facility at Jan Pierre Roos Seleka Ranch in Sherwood on March 15, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said even though not all fruits and vegetables were restricted, just over two years government’s initiative to restrict importation of certain fruits and vegetables resulted in the reduction of over R615 million.
Restricted vegetables and fruits include tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, mushroom, all leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, melons, cucumber, orange, cabbage, mango, banana and green, yellow, red and sweet peppers.
President Masisi nevertheless said government would make a decision on whether to add more vegetables and fruits to the list or not.
He said two years ago, government decided to impose a restriction on vegetables and fruits that commercial farmers in the country could produce, but were not willing to exhort themselves.
When the first decision was taken to restrict importation, the level of self- sufficiency was a paltry 10 per cent, Dr Masisi said, adding that it had now increased to 75 per cent, a whopping 65 per cent increase in a short period of time.
President Masisi encouraged commercial farmers in the Tuli Block area to help small farmers acquire skills and values because government was there to step in and help.
He said government was developing National Development Plan (NDP) 12 and was going to grow capacity of those involved in irrigated agriculture in the area.
Further, he said government had created structures for trade, negotiated tariffs and ease of doing business for commercial farmers.
“We have kept the country peaceful, we have kept it safe, we have made sure that financial integrity of Botswana remains beyond reproach through promulgation legislation and policies and so, the investor here should be the safest in Africa,” he said.
He pleaded with commercial farmers to invest their money in the country. Government is determined to develop road infrastructure to ease trade. Contracted parties have already been engaged and are working on Francistown-Nata road, Nata-Maun segment and on Maun-Mohembo road, where commercial farmers’ produce go, so government’s job in using your tax wisely is to provide avenues and conduit to markets, President Masisi said.
He encouraged investors to develop facilities of the Safe Pro Cold Storage calibre in high production areas and possibly even at big commercial borders because if they transport produce from Kazungula, for example, with the intention of exporting either to Zambia or Democratic Republic of Congo, it would be easier.
President Dr Masisi said in the diplomatic effort to make peace and friends and assure stability of investments in faraway areas, commercial farmers should come along with him and invest in those places.
Safe Pro Cold Storage Solution chief executive officer, Mr Saleem Malique said the facility represented a pivotal milestone in the collective journey towards ensuring food security and economic prosperity for all by offering long term storage solution for produce grown not only for JP Roos farm, but also for farmers in the Tuli Block and beyond.
He said they were surely in the new era of empowerment and opportunity for the agricultural community and one of the hallmark features of the facility was that its inclusive approach allowed farmers the flexibility to either store their produce for sale or an extended period.
Mr Malique said such ensured that farmers could cultivate fruits and vegetables with confidence knowing that they had the support and resources necessary to optimise their yields and secure sustainable livelihoods.
He expressed optimism that they were not only going to meet the demands of the local markets, but also explore avenues for export to neighbouring countries and beyond.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
