Africa-Press – Botswana. Farmers have been urged to start positioning themselves for emerging high-end lucrative markets and diversify their products portfolio.
The appeal was made by the acting Deputy Permanent Secretary- Livestock, in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Dr Kefentse Motshegwa, during the fourth edition of Matlapaneng Farmers Field Day in Thulakoma on Saturday.
Dr Motshegwa informed farmers that they were on the verge of signing an agreement with the China, adding that this market was significantly larger than the European Union, the United States and Russia markets.
He said if farmers played game carefully especially on issues of compliance, quality assurance they could access this market and added that animal traceability was crucial.
“We must ensure that we adhere to markets requirements, if one farmers is left behind, they may compromise the entire sector,” he told farmers.
He said there was another forthcoming initiative aimed at commercialising livestock, particularly small stock.
Dr Motshegwa said government had secured a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the project..
He noted that this is a multi-million project that could benefit Botswana if individuals started positioning themselves and diversifying their product.
He mentioned that the opening of the Tsabong abattoir would support this initiative.
Dr Motshegwa further informed farmers that the government was undertaking another initiative known as rangeland restoration, and was collaborating with International Conservation and the Green Climate Fund.
He mentioned that the project has a budget of nearly US$100 million (more than P1 billion), with the government contributing about US$54 million (abut P734m), the Green Climate Fund providing around US$38 million (about P516m), and International Conservation also contributing its portion.
“For now, the project will start at Bobobong and Kgalagadi areas such as Hukuntsi and Tsabong,” he said.
He also noted that government was currently reviewing many agricultural programmes to align them with the current direction of inclusiveness.
Dr Motshegwa said the aim was to ensure that ordinary farmers benefited from these programmes.
The chairperson of Matlapaneng association, Mr Mozambique Goboletswe said their mission was to promote sustainable agricultural practices in their area and inspire and expose farmers to smart practices, such as technology.
He said they promoted integrated farming and harnessed solar energy in an efforts to be climate smart.
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