guidelines were reviewed - Ministry of Agriculture

8.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SERVICECENTRES (ASCS)Establishment of Agricultural Service Centres is envisaged to provideassistance with draught power for arable farmers to undertake farmingoperations.Agricultural Service Centres will be established at 15 strategiclocalities (i.e. Leshibitse, Monwane, Hatsalatladi, Tsetsebjwe,Mookane, Mogatsapoo, Sefhare, Tutume, Tonota, Masunga, Gumare,Parakarungu, Jwaneng, Mmathethe, and Moshupa). The selection ofthe sites was based on the potential for arable production.Agricultural Service Centres would:-(i)Provide farm machinery and associated implements to arablefarmers to expedite and improve on timeliness of tillageoperations.(ii) Let out machinery and associated implements to farmers ata rate to be set from time to time by the Department of CropProduction (see Annex 1).(iii) Promote farm mechanisation in order to improve farmproductivity and ultimately food security.(iv) Provide skills and knowledge in the acquisition, properutilization and maintenance of farm machinery and associatedimplements.(v) Facilitate commercialisation of arable agriculture.(vi) Assist with the provision of agricultural inputs.9.0 FACILITATION OF ACCESS TO CREDITThe National Development Bank (NDB) will provide seasonal loansat prime rate to farmers and claim the difference in interest ratesbetween prime and market rates from the Ministry of Agriculture.9 ISPAAD GUIDELINES