Africa-Press – Botswana. The ban on importation of horticultural products, which expires next month will be reviewed with the aim of extending it, and even adding more products.
Responding to the State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on November 21, Shashe West Legislator also the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao said the likelihood of extending the ban and adding more products would be inspired by its success so far.
“Since the decision to ban such imports, local production has increased and the country has managed to cut its import bill on the particular products by 71 per cent. These are some of the successes that will inform the review,” he said.
Mr Molao also said the ban had helped create employment for locals and create wealth for local horticulturalists.
He noted that the Meat Industry Regulatory Authority bill, which was adopted by Parliament in its previous sitting would soon be finalised.
“Upon implementation, the bill will help reduce the Botswana Meat Commission monopoly as per Batswana’s pleas,” he said.
On other issues, Mr Molao said all the 16 quarantines in the country had a total carrying capacity of 10 000 cattle, but said over the years they had not been able to fill them to the maximum for purposes of artificial insemination. He said last year, artificial insemination was done on about 6 500 cattle, an improvement from the 3 000 cattle the previous year.
“This year we are targeting full capacity and we will also add six more quarantines across the country. This is an indication that government is serious about increasing the cattle herd count,” he said.
Mr Molao also said since government took a decision to reduce costs of artificial insemination training from over P6 000 to P500, the centres had been overwhelmed with applications.
He appealed to Batswana to keep up the interests, saying the training could even help graduates start private insemination services.
He said for the last six years, a total of 32 782 semen straws had been sold to Batswana, which was an indication that local farmers understood the importance of artificial insemination.
On issues in his constituency, Mr Molao said the recent upgrading of sub-districts to fully fledged districts should be sped up so that they start operating like they should.
He also appreciated the planned Mandunyane-Shashe-Mathangwane road, but said other vital roads such as the Lepashe-Matsitama-Mokubilo-Mmashoro road should also be considered.
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