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Farmers Urged to Increase Agricultural Contribution Threefold |
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 Government has advised the Ministry of Agriculture to increase threefold its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next five years.
The recommendations are contained in the Business Economic Advisory Committee (BEAC) report.
The Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, who at the weekend opened the 2008 Northern Kgalagadi Agricultural Show in his capacity as Chairman of Debswana, whose theme was, "Water - A Gate way to Social and Agricultural Productivity," said the theme came at a time when the country desperately needs water to produce its own food.
“We cannot increase agricultural production if we only depend on rain fed agriculture, particularly in this area which is prone to drought,” he observed.
Molale said although the topography of most of the Kgalagadi district is not appropriate for arable farming, livestock farming is doing exceedingly well; this gives government the opportunity to intensify livestock farming and encourage the majority of the inhabitants to take it up on a large scale.
With its comparative advantage in livestock production, specifically beef and small stock farming, the Kgalagadi District can make a significant contribution to the agricultural sector, which in turn would raise the contribution of the sector to the Gross Domestic Product from the current 2.5 percent.
Molale said due to water scarcity and salinity a limited number of farmers are engaged in horticulture, which normally requires the use of shade nets to reduce the impact of extreme temperatures. The provision of water through the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) will encourage farmers to venture into vegetable production, he said. The other option is to harvest rain water during the rainy season.
While livestock production is doing well, there are specific challenges that face the livestock sub-sector in the district; these include shortage of water. More often than not when it is found, water is saline and not good for livestock.
“I am also informed that the district lacks organized marketing infrastructure for sheep and goats; suffers from high mortality of small stock particularly in young stock; and has low reproductive rates such as kidding and lambing estimated at 49 and 41% for goats and sheep respectively. The latter is said to be way below the national average.
Molale urged Kgalagadi farmers urge you to form groups that will effectively manage and maintain borehole equipment, and to employ advanced water conservation methods. One borehole has been identified in Lokgwabe to provide water for livestock; the Ministry is in the process of equipping it and ensuring water reticulation, he said.
Regarding marketing infrastructure, he advised the farmers to form strong farmers' associations that can be assisted to establish slaughter facilities and other amenities that will facilitate the marketing of agricultural products.
On the high mortality in small stock and low reproductive rates he urged good management practices and supplementary feeding. The farmers need to adopt advanced livestock management techniques, he said.
According to the BEAC Report farmers should shift from oxen based production to the weaner based production system that will allow them to take advantage of the export parity prices offered by the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC). The weaner production system will reduce land degradation and overgrazing, he said.
 Molale said all slaughter facilities that do not comply with the Livestock and Meat Industries Act and its regulations are given up to the end of this year to improve their facilities. The Act is meant to guarantee wholesome meat for consumers; he appealed to stakeholders in the meat industry to ensure that their facilities are registered and conform to the standard.
He said according to the 2007 Department of Veterinary Services census there are 2200 goats and 300 sheep in the Haunts Agricultural district; there is great potential for these numbers to increase phenomenally.
If all LIMID, Out of School Youth Grant and CEDA Young Farmers beneficiaries could be mentored and coached, livestock production could make a significant impact on the economy. Resource-poor farmers would graduate and become self-sustaining and the country would be well on its way to becoming self-sufficient in food production.
Molale implored agricultural extension workers to identify serious minded farmers and concentrate efforts in offering them maximum support and guidance. Once these farmers succeed, they would serve as examples for others to emulate, while at the same time contributing to Botswana's agricultural output.
He emphasized Government's commitment to the development of the agricultural sector as the mainstay of the lives of the majority of our people in Botswana.
“It is our desire to see Botswana leapfrog from being subsistence agriculture to a commercial agriculture country. For this to happen, it requires the commitment of farmers with the support of Government and entities such as Debswana in which Government has a stake.
Molale praised the Debswana Diamond Company’s decision to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture to support agricultural shows as way of encouraging increased participation by farmers.
“It is the second consecutive year that Debswana has contributed P600 000, most of which goes towards enhanced prizes for excelling exhibitors at these shows.
“ We strongly believe that these enhanced prizes will act as a draw card for farmers to participate in the shows and thereby offer them an opportunity to share experiences, which they can take back home to improve their farming methods.”
He said Debswana was committed to supporting government efforts to increase food security, as well to diversify the economy, which currently depends on minerals, particularly diamond revenues.
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