10 Oct 2019

Representatives of the six political parties contesting for the 2019 general elections on Wednesday unpacked to the electorate what their party would do to develop agriculture should they be given the mandate to govern the country.

The representatives debated on how the agriculture sector could be developed to be among the contributors to the economy.

Alliance for Progressive (AP) representative Mr Shaffi Pandor stated that his party would prioritise the agriculture sector and benchmark from other successful countries on how to make dry land farming successful in this country.

He added that AP would create a special agriculture zone for farming and manufacturing of agriculture products, where amenities would be provided.

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) representative Mr Fidelis Molao pointed out that his party would continue with the present policies on agriculture sector development.

Mr Molao said they would revamp the ISPAAD programme to make it more efficient.

He said government spent around P35 000 on each farmer every year through ISPAAD, and also gave subsidies to commercial farmers.

“We are now undertaking what we call ‘tweaking of ISPAAD’.  We have already commenced in Masunga, Leshibitse, Malwelwe, Mookane and Kgoro villages.

In Masunga, government has taken responsibility to fence 800 hectors of land for commercial farming,” he said.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) representative Dr Micus Chimbombi said his party would implement a four-pronged strategy to modernise agriculture if elected to power.  Dr Chimbombi explained that they would start by training and resourcing the ministry of agriculture officers to assist farmers to implement modern farming methods.

He added that UDC would also avail funds for the provision of necessary resources such as water, electricity and roads to farms.

He said they would ensure that farmers had access to a reliable market that would buy their produce at competitive prices.

He said the UDC-led government would continue researching on new methods to ensure that agriculture was sustainable and profitable.

“We should use the new methods to diversify our crop production from sorghum and maize.

Our nation needs to feed itself rather than just rely on other countries,” Dr Chimbombi said.   

Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) representative Mr Nehemiah Modubule said his party would turn agriculture into a backbone of the economy.

He said BMD would establish an agricultural bank to assist farmers to access funding so that they overcome challenges and prosper in agribusiness.

“We cannot claim to be independent while we cannot feed ourselves as a country.

It shows that we are still dependent on other countries. Agriculture contributed 47 per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) at independence, but it has now declined to 2.1 per cent in 2017,” he said.

He said BMD would also focus on improving production in dairy, fish and piggery sub-sectors, and also introduce hydroponic farming, especially where there is lack of access to land.

He added that BMD would revamp operations at Botswana Meat Commission to make it beneficial to farmers and become profitable.

He further said the party would promote the use of ground water for irrigation purposes.

Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) representative Mr Kagisano Tamocha said his party would modernise agriculture and turn it into a profitable business.

Mr Tamocha noted that Botswana had the potential to become self-sustainable in terms of food security and stop importing food from other countries.

He said BPF would establish community owned farms in different parts of the country, and cooperatives to provide farmers with access to the market by buying their agricultural produce.

“Botswana is fed by other countries and the Botswana Patriotic Front is concerned by this.

We believe that the agriculture sector would produce many jobs if it was developed,” he said.

Real Alternative Party representative Mr Gaontebale Mokgosi said his party would turn the country into a food sovereign state.

Mr Mokgosi said they would do that by encouraging farmers to grow traditional sorghum crops such as Segaolane and Lebelebele because they were climate resistant.

He said the party would also promote the harvesting of rainwater through the construction of more dams.

He said the water would then be used for irrigation.

He further said they would promote market access for farmers by removing the monopoly of multi-national businesses and ensure that businesses buy agricultural produce from local farmers. ENDS