Agrinews December 2012 - Ministry of Agriculture

Article: Keamogetse BoitshepoArticle: Keamogetse BoitshepoHorticulture production isdynamic and ranges fromsubsistence back yard tocommercialized projects. It hasbeen identified as one of the fivebreakthrough areas in agriculture.This means that the Ministry ofAgriculture makes it one of thefocal areas to make a significantimpact on a short to medium term.According to the Departmentof Crop Production report for thefiscal year 2012/13, horticultureproducts national consumption isestimated at 75 000 metric tons.And, the national productiontarget is set at 61.6% of the totaldemand which is 46 200 metrictons. The production has by farreached impressive levels with thefirst quarter exceeding the targetand the second quarter comingclose to the margin. Includingthe production of first monthof the third quarter in total 22687.62 metric tons of horticultureproducts have been produced. d.ThisNote: This graph reflects production as of endof October 2012culminates to more than 50% ofthe total target that is to be reachedat the end of April 2013.Backyard Gardens:Most backyard gardens arehorticulture gardens of commonvegetables for subsistenceand selling in the locality. Theprojects are in support of povertyeradication initiative and havespread throughout the country.Commercial Projects:Horticulture on commerciallevel has grown with more youthand women venturing into fruitand vegetable production atcommercial level. Governmentsupport programmes such asIntegrated Support Programme forArable Agriculture Development(ISPAAD) and Youth Funds havemade a significant impact on thesub sector. The contribution ofgovernment collaborative effortswith financial parastatals such asCitizen Entrepreneur DevelopmentAgency (CEDA) and NationalDevelopment Bank (NDB) cannot go unnoticed. The financialassistance programmes helpedcommercialize most projectsthrough provision of loans forstarting up and expansion ofprojects. Local Enterprise Authority(LEA) is also playing a major rolein preparing aspirants beforegetting loans with technical andentrepreneur skills. This guaranteesthat government investment ofmillions does not go down thedrain.To ensure market for locallyproduced horticultural products,importation of vegetables and fruitsis strictly monitored to guaranteethat local supermarkets buy fromlocal producers. Also platforms likeBotswana Horticulture Market arein place as a medium to sell localhorticulture products.ISPAAD:Just this year, ISPAAD received80 applications for both individualand group projects. 50 of themwere approved and were in totalsponsored by P1, 925 986.08.Not disputing that ISPAAD has itsown limitation, the programmehas remarkably transformed thehorticulture sub sector.Challenges:Inevitably the sub sector haschallenges that pose serious threatto the production level. Some ofthe major challenges include lackof crop insurance and effects ofclimate change such as floods,hail storms, frost and extremelyhigh temperatures. Poor cropmanagement and lack of continuityof production through the year isalso a concern.Interventions:Interventions that are set in placeto curb the challenges include tailormade training programmes andestablishment of production cropinsurance. Other efforts includeformation of producer associationsand increased share of water andland for horticulture.10December 201210