Africa-Press – Botswana. Agricultural development programmes are essential for improved food security, economic empowerment as well as social upliftment.
Speaking during the official opening of Kweneng District Council full session on Monday, council chairperson, Mr Allen Jacob said given that agriculture was a major source of livelihood, sustainable farming practices were needed.
He said Temo Letlotlo had targeted to register over 8 000 farmers in their crop management system, but that only 4 603 were registered and assisted with various packages including inputs, ploughing, fencing as well as tractors and implements subsidy.
In addition, the chairperson said 2 405 farmers were assisted with cropping plans and granted assistance through the crop management system to acquire inputs and pay for tractors during the 2023/2024 ploughing season which ended in February 2024.
Councillor Jacob said ploughing started on the third week of December 2023 in areas around Mmanoko, Mogonono, Lesilakgokong, Kotolaname, Ditshukudu, Molepolole and Gakutlo while in other areas, farmers started on the first week of January due to late rains in areas around Hatsalatladi, Shadishadi, Lephepe, Sojwe, Kgope and Boatlaname. He said 1 291 farmers planted over 5 700 hectares
As for the Temo Letlotlo individual fencing subsidy, he said 214 small-scale farmers were assisted at a cost of over P1 million.
He added that 112 farmers paid 50 per cent contribution while 102 were awaiting their 50 per cent portion. He also said 27 micro-scale farmers applications for fencing were approved at 100 per cent grant, adding that 137 hectares was fenced by 26 farmers.
He also said assistance was provided for tractor and machinery sub-sidy under Temo Letlotlo and that 41 applications had been received and 39 approved while two were still under adjudication.
He further said the cost of tractors and machinery was over P9 million and that the 50 per cent subsidy was about P4 million while the government grant was around P4.5 million
He added that under Temo Letlotlo, 201 applicants had been registered on the online system for various packages under the programme and were yet to be assessed for approval.
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