AGRICULTURE PRESENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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AGRICULTURE PRESENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
AGRICULTURE PRESENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Africa-Press – Botswana. Agriculture has potential to advance employment creation and empower vulnerable groups.

The Minister of Justice, Mr Machana Shamukuni said this during Kang farmers’ field day, held at Phuthadikobo farm on Saturday.

He said as with other existing challenges, lack of employment compelled government and other stakeholders to explore opportunities.

To overcome such challenges, he said a robust agricultural sector would be the primary driver of diversification and job creation.

He said at the country’s independence, the agricultural sector contributed more than 40 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and despite the subsequent decline, it still remained critical.

He said opportunities had been created and there was also political will to continue providing resources.

Moreover, he said through the Reset Agenda, government was committed to uplifting Batswana from poverty, and amongst others, small stock market had been identified as an opportunity to create wealth.

“We believe that young people have a greater stake to play and greater benefit to reap out of this market, especially considering the turnaround for benefiting is shorter” he said.

On other issues, he implored young people and farmers in general to take advantage of the recently acquired quality breeds from Texas in the United States. He said the cattle would help improve breed quality nationally.

He said the breeding stock was a follow up to the launch of the Artificial Insemination Programme last year. Mr Shamukuni said the 161 cattle would be used in the production of germplasm for both local and export markets.

He said government had identified market for small stock in the Middle East and the demand was high, but the current quantity was low to fulfill the quota needed.

He, therefore, emphasised the importance of young people taking advantage of this niche market as small stock abattoirs had been constructed across the country to ensure proximity to farmers thus reducing related incidental expenses.

Meanwhile, he decried that, despite good initiatives being derived from this sector, there was public outcry on stock theft.

He indicated that as at December 2022, there were 253 pending cases of stock theft in courts across the country.

He informed farmers that, the Administration of Justice recently established 11 stock theft courts in Mochudi, Selebi Phikwe, Jwaneng, Letlhakane, Molepolole, Francistown, Hukuntsi, Kanye, Mahalapye and Takatokwane.

In remarks, Kgosi Basadi Seipone of Kang said they prided themselves with cattle farming in their area, adding the area also had potential to produce various crops and citrus fruits. She called for intensive research on the Kgalagadi soils in order to incorporate horticulture and citrus fruits production to boost farming in their area.

She also said there were no prevalent animal diseases in the area, however animal production was affected by human-wildlife conflicts and stock theft.

Kang farmers Association chairperson, Mr Moagi Bareeleng said their mandate was to promote farming in Kgalagadi through collaborative efforts

He decried lack othe prevalent stock theft, which he said was rife in the area as well as low compensation after their livestock had been killed by wild animals.

He proposed that government should rather consider compensating farmers based on the market price of their animals.

Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, Ms Talita Monnakgotla implored the youth to venture into farming, which he said had potential to unlock opportunities. She said their full participation would help to reduce the country’s importation bill thus enhancing food security.

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