GHANZI SHOW - Ministry of Agriculture

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Questions & Answers Article: Keamogetse Boitshepo Photos: Aggripah Willie Agrinews was in Pandamatenga recently for the Harvest Day. It became clear that the Pandamatenga Agricultural infrastructure development project is ongoing. Keamogetse Boitshepo talks to Mr Stanley Semetsa, Project Manager, Pandamatenga Infrastructure Development Project. For those of our readers who are not aware of the development, briefly tell us what Pandamatenga Agricultural infrastructure development project is? The Pandamatenga Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project was envisaged in 1997, after the Department of Crop Production realized that the farmers in the area were experiencing challenges of crop production, which amongst others, included destruction of crops by wildlife, flooding and inaccessibility into the farms during the rainy season. In 2000 the Department of Crop Production erected a 91km electric fence around the entire 25 040 ha of farms. After completion of the fence, the Department embarked on securing funding to construct a road network and drainage system. In 2006 the African Development Bank expressed interest in funding the project called the “Pandamatenga Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project”, which they subsequently funded in 2009. What does the project entail? The project comprises of three components 1) Infrastructure D e v e l o p m e n t - w h i c h e n t a i l s construction of 180 km of gravel surfaced road, “open drains” drainage system, and supporting ancillary infrastructure, 2) Agricultural Production Improvement-mobilize farming community and build capacity, 3) Project Coordination-strengthen capacity of the project implementation team. When was it started and why ? The loan was signed in April 2009, but actual construction started 1st August 2011. The procurement of the contractor took longer than anticipated. What has been achieved by far and is it going according to schedule? To date the project is at 20% overall. The project is behind schedule due to prolonged mobilization period by the contractor, and the “unworkable” wet conditions. The area is underlain by black cotton soils which are virtually unworkable when wet. How is it envisioned to help Pandamatenga farmers? One of the major objectives of the project is to improve crop productivity, yields for smallscale farmers will increase from the current 0.5ton to 2.5 tonnes, whilst for the Commercial it will increase from 2.5 tonnes to 3.5tonnes. How is the project intended to improve the arable agriculture as a whole? Given that the area contributes about 75% of the cereal production in the country, increase in yield in the area has a significant contribution to food security. When is the project expected to end? Completion of the project is planned for 31st July, 2014. How much is the project estimated to cost and who is funding it? The total cost of the project is USD 60,020 million (about BWP464 million at current exchange rate) (will be financed by African Development Bank), whilst the Botswana Government will finance with about USD 8, 1 million (about BWP 62 million). It is important to note that at preparatory stage of the project, the African Development Bank awarded the Government of Botswana two grants at a total of about BWP 12million. July 2012 16
Versions Of Progress I love agriculture, I always have. I am completely spellbound by germination and by pollination. I love being in a vet clinic and seeing faces of satisfied animal lovers. I love the smell of cow dung in the morning. I love the scenery of a typical moraka or masimo. It is a path that I have always known I will venture. Agriculture is not something I fell in to, it is a natural talent. It has not always been easy to admit as most of my peers found humour in my passion. To this day, some frown at my decision to choose such a “dirty” path. With remarks and questions such as.......A o rata di plot mo go kalo? Ao gatwe animal health motho o go boning o leleka di koko!? Ako loe go koba dikgomo fa thoko ga tsela. And yes, in social scenes I choose to say it less loudly.... Agriculture??? Oh, o mmalophalo goriana! I do not blame them though as youth in our society have succumbed to what is deemed “white collar” jobs; the lawyers, marketing managers, or IT specialists. See, we are so used to the idea of agriculture being a required routine in our school system; a tedious chore of watering the gardens and weeding. Maybe an enhancement in our school curriculum would have changed our mindset. Am I surprised to find Botswana with not enough food to feed its mouth? Our neighbouring friends Zambia and South Africa have a different attitude despite their superior placement of resources. A change in outlook would lift not only our GDP and production quality but our natural pride in farming, that our father`s fathers had. Existing farmers might then have a nudge to uplift themselves to a more competitive state. The right support might find potential farmers looking for more diversified ways of uplifting the economy. I stopped most of my friends from laughing when I made them realise that, Advocate, Director, or Fashion designer, it is I the agriculturalist that takes care of your stomach indiscriminately. Do not bite the hand that feeds you. 17 July 2012
Page 1 and 2: Volume 42, No. 07 July 2012 GHANZI
Page 3 and 4: NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW "Transfo
Page 5 and 6: VISION FOUNDATION PILLARS editor’
Page 7 and 8: After years of stumbling along in t
Page 9 and 10: Kruger avoid compaction to enhance
Page 11 and 12: 11 July 2012
Page 13 and 14: 2 1 Ghanzi Show 1. Delegates at Gha
Page 15 and 16: Article: Segomotso Basuti Photos: A
Page 17 and 18: NATIONAL FRUIT TREE NURSERY GROWS B
Page 19: Kruger,Mokalake, Kgosi Baniki and M
Page 23 and 24: Teasers Compiled By Segomotso Basut

GHANZI SHOW - Ministry of Agriculture

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?