April 2012.indd - Ministry of Agriculture

VISIONFOUNDATIONPILLARSAttain national food securityand global competitivenessin agricultural productseditor’s noteLET US DIVERSIFY THROUGH HORTICULTUREMISSIONTo improve agricultural productivitythrough technology developmentand transfer, diversification andcommercialization, in orderto promote food security inpartnership with our stakeholders.VALUES1. BOTHOWe treat our customers ina respectable and caring manner.2. TEAM WORKWe recognize the need to work asa team characterized by collectiveeffort, trust, understanding,support and perseveranceirrespective of rank or gender.3. CUSTOMER FOCUSEDOur customers are the focusof everything we do by beingcourteous, caring, compassionate,tolerant and empathetic.4. INNOVATIVEWe commit to employ new ideasand being proactive in order tomatch the requirements of thefuture.5. INTEGRITYWe foster a culture of transparency,accountability and dependability.The Integrated Support Programmef o r A r a b l e A g r i c u l t u r a lDevelopment (ISPAAD) has acomponent for horticulture. Throughthe component, the government isdetermined to bring a lease of life tothe agricultural sub-sector, which to acertain extend is struggling.It is still worrying to learn that thissub-sector still relies heavily on imports.The high import bill for horticulturalproduce clearly shows the nation’s highappetite for such produce. Just like beef,it is part of our daily dish.It is the believe of this publication thatthose in the horticulture sub-sector canwork extra hard to make Our Botswanaa paragon of horticulture produce. Wecan, just like our success story in thebeef industry.This is a sector, which we believe, cancontribute significantly to economicdiversification. The sub-sectorcontributes to employment creationjudging by amongst others, the numberof horticultural vendors.However, those in local productionare unable to sustain their marketbecause the supply is always punctuatedby lack of produce.At the time the farmer is still waitingfor maturity of vegetables where is theretailer? It is justifiable for the retailer tolook elsewhere, because he/she is dutybound to meet the consumer’s need.Horticulture farmers cannot afford tointerrupt the flow chain. That is why theretailer looks else where to grease thischain to maintain the customer base.In order to avert such a situation, localfarmers should up their game to be atpar with the fresh produce demand.We have to work hard to ensurethat we reduce the import bill forhorticultural produce. The time is nowas tomorrow might be very far for thecountry to become self sufficient inhorticultural production.Such farmers must also note that therecan be diversity in the horticulturalsector. Some can grow potatoes, lettuce,cabbage, etc. The sector is not onlyabout production of spinach and rape.Let us work toward diversification ofour produce.It is our wish and dream to one daybecome a major exporter of one of thehorticultural produce. It can be done aswe have done with our beef which hasfound itself in the kitchen of EuropeanUnion citizens.iApril 2012