Africa-Press – Botswana. Irvine’s Botswana CEO, Mr Andre Hoffman, whose company is a major supplier to the poultry industry, says in order for Botswana to fully benefit from continental free trade, foreign direct investment as well as technology and skills transfer, farmers should embrace the “mindset change” in their farming practices.
He said this when officiating at this year’s Kgatleng Agriculture and Trade Show in Mochudi recently.
Mr Hoffman stated that although the climate had changed, changing the mindset would help farmers to adopt new farming technologies.
He said Botswana’s stable political environment coupled with good governance and strong institutions provided a conducive environment for all agricultural enterprises in this country to thrive.
“However, the current and prospective environment is undoubtedly challenging for Botswana’s agriculture and as such requires renewed preparedness, structural reforms and appropriate execution with respect to policy frameworks, effectiveness of institutions and administrative approaches surrounding the agricultural commodity value chains,” he said.
He observed that though agricultural enterprises faced a number of challenges, such as prolonged droughts and harsh weather conditions, if they are mitigated, the sector could unlock new opportunities and the entire farming community can realise returns on their investments.
The MP for Mochudi West and also Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, assured farmers that his ministry was working around the clock to engage other countries through bilateral talks to trade in different products. In particular, he said, negotiations were ongoing with Angola to import Botswana beef.
He expressed disappointment that there was a low turnout at this year’s show, especially the youth.
He said it was a painful that young people showed little or no interest in farming, yet the sector had great potential to address youth unemployment.
He encouraged the show organisers to adapt to the youth’s expectations in order to attract them to future activities.
The MP for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule, said most farmers had been doing things the same way without realising any returns in their farming practices.
He therefore urged them to practice modern farming practices in order to profit from their hard work.
Mr Thabane Machacha, a small stock stud breeder, shared his journey to running a successful farming enterprise to motivate upcoming farmers.
He told the gathering that when he retired from the public service he reared cattle around Orapa area. After he realised that cattle farming was too demanding, he decided to focus on small stock, specialising in stud breeding of goats and sheep. Since he made that decision, he said, he never looked back.
He encouraged farmers to diversify their farming enterprises to realise profits and practice good farm management.
Macahacha said he was currently among the few registered small stock stud breeders in the country.
Kgatleng agricultural show chairman, Mr Patrick Mmono, said the show was last held four years back and they had been intending to revive it after the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there was a low turnout of people and exhibits, he said, he was happy with the high number of both small businesses and corporate exhibitors, adding that this was a clear indication that the show would improve with time.
He assured participants that next year the show would be bigger and better.
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