Africa-Press – Botswana. Small scale farmers in Kgalagadi North have been encouraged to shift from subsistence to commercial farming.
This was said by Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang when delivering a keynote address at the official opening of the Kgalagadi North District Agricultural Show in Tshane recently.
“Though the majority of farming here is done at subsistence level, the time has come to step up. Let us aspire to become commercial producers,” he said.
Mr Atamelang also lauded organisers for reviving the show, saying it was a significant milestone that celebrated the region’s resilience, innovation and agricultural potential. He acknowledged the region for positioning itself for greater agricultural impact, and praised the show for being more than just a platform for trade, but a unifier and a district emblem.
“Trade fairs or shows bring us together as a people. They give us the opportunity to showcase who we are as a district and what we can offer. I therefore applaud you outright for hosting the district show, which I am informed you are resuscitating after several years,” he said.
Mr Atamelang acknowledged the harsh environment in which the district operated, including saline underground water, unreliable rainfall and a lack of surface water. However, he acknowledged the determination of the community who had ensured food security and adapted to climate change.
“I am glad to see that you are winning against all odds. It is clear that smallstock keeping is thriving in many households, and livestock numbers have grown significantly in recent years,” he said.
He highlighted that there was need for profits from agriculture to benefit grassroots and primary producers underscoring that government initiatives such as Thuo Letlotlo were designed with this in mind.
“Though Thuo Letlotlo has been temporarily suspended for review, I wish to encourage farmers to remain alert and ready to take full advantage of the programme upon its return,” he said.
Mr Atamelang revealed that before the suspension, 176 applications had been submitted in the district, with 96 already approved across sectors like beef cattle, small stock, poultry, piggery and water development.
“This is a commendable response. Even more numbers would have been desirable, considering that this district is truly an animal-producing region of choice,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, Mr Reason Lekutlane said without proper roads, efforts to boost farming and marketing of livestock would remain a mirage. Thus, he called on the Minister of Lands and Agriculture to prioritise development of critical road infrastructure in the district, citing the Hukuntsi-Tsabong and Hukuntsi-Ncojane roads, which he deemed essential lifelines for the agricultural economy.
Mr Lekutlane echoed President Advocate Duma Boko’s recent concerns about the declining national cattle population and his call for urgent intervention to increase herd numbers. He expressed confidence in Kgalagadi North’s ability to contribute to national livestock growth, noting that the region once boasted high numbers and could reach such figures again with the right support.
However, he acknowledged several pressing challenges that continued to hamper the district’s farming progress, citing lack of access to water both for human consumption and for livestock. Mr Lekutlane also raised concerns about insufficient land availability, adding that wildlife management areas occupied a large portion of land.
“We are appealing for part of that land to be considered for farming to enable growth in the sector,” he said.
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