Monday, May 29, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • E-edition
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Economy
  • Columns
  • Companies & Markets
  • In Business With
  • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
  • Sports
    Men’s U-19 cricket team preps for world cup qualifiers

    Botswana Cricket Gears Up for Int’l Tournaments

    ‘Amos did not communicate with us on his intention to go solo’- BAA

    Doping Cases Surge in Botswana Athletics 

    BoBA readies Team for African Champs

    Debswana’s Exemplary Sponsorship Elevates Botswana Sports

    The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

    The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

    BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

    BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

    Tebogo’s Move to US on Hold

    De Grasse Labels Tebogo a Threat in the World of Athletics 

    Trending Tags

    • Subscribe
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
    • Economy
    • Columns
    • Companies & Markets
    • In Business With
    • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
    • Sports
      Men’s U-19 cricket team preps for world cup qualifiers

      Botswana Cricket Gears Up for Int’l Tournaments

      ‘Amos did not communicate with us on his intention to go solo’- BAA

      Doping Cases Surge in Botswana Athletics 

      BoBA readies Team for African Champs

      Debswana’s Exemplary Sponsorship Elevates Botswana Sports

      The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

      The Abilities of Coach Dose Speak for Themselves 

      BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

      BoBA is Grateful to Debswana for Increased Sponsorship – Sec Gen

      Tebogo’s Move to US on Hold

      De Grasse Labels Tebogo a Threat in the World of Athletics 

      Trending Tags

      • Subscribe
      No Result
      View All Result
      The Business Weekly & Review
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home News

      Parliament calls for ban on all agricultural products

      This emerged from discussion of a question raised by the MP for Maun West, Dumelang Saleshando, seeking clarification of some issues around the ban on importation of agricultural produce.

      mm by Baboloki Meekwane
      August 19, 2022
      in News
      Reading Time: 2 mins read
      0
      HATAB confronts Molao over vegetable import ban

      KASANE 13 May 2022 . Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) annual conference starts in Kasane on 13 May 2022 with the theme ÒRebuilding Tourism for the Future;Post Covid 19Ó . The minister of environment and tourism Philda Nani Kereng delivers the keynote speech during the conference. Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao along side Dr Morison Sinvula delivering on Agriculture and Tourism development during the panel discussion during the conference. (Pic:Monirul Bhuiyan/PRESS PHOTO)

      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
      • Import ban said to be bearing fruit as local horticulture production increases
      • Legislators call for blanket ban on agricultural products
      • Minister says funds to ensure improved capacity of famers are a hindrance

      Members of Parliament have appealed the Ministry of Agriculture to consider expanding the current ban import on importation of fruits and vegetables to all agricultural products.

      This emerged from discussion of a question raised by the MP for Maun West, Dumelang Saleshando, seeking clarification of some issues around the ban on importation of agricultural produce. MPs argued that a blanket ban on all agricultural products, including cereals and grains, would result in growth of the agricultural sector in Botswana.

      Famers in Nhabe

      The MP for Ngami, Carter Hikuama, said local grain harvest regularly goes to waste because of lack of a market in Botswana, thanks to imported grain. He asserted that the people of his constituency are capable of feeding the nation, particularly with maize and sorghum. “Does the ministry plan on imposing the ban across all agricultural products? The government is currently failing local farmers by importing products which they have the capacity to produce,” Hikuama said.   Adding his voice to the call, the MP for Nata-Gweta, Polson Majaga, said the Ministry of Agriculture should be steadfast in maintaining the import ban on fruits and vegetables.

      However, in response the Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi, said while it was a good idea to ban importation of all agricultural products, finding funds needed to ensure increased production of local famers and improved quality of their crops was proving a hindrance. Saleshando had asked Minister Molebatsi to state the percentage of national production for tomatoes, potatoes, onions and ginger compared to total demand at when the import ban was imposed and the level of increased production since.

      Cushioning consumers

      Saleshando had also wanted to know the number of potato farmers in Botswana how many of them are indigenous Batswana and measures in place to cushion consumers against shortages and price increases caused by the shortages. In response, Minister Molebatsi said local production of horticultural products has increased substantially since the introduction of the ban. Production of potatoes has grown by 8.45 percent from 74.9 percent pre- restrictions and onions from 55.6 percent to 62.25 percent.

      “Tomato production decreased by 6.67 percent, which is not a concern as they are currently off season, while ginger production is at its lowest going from 0.11 percent to 0.03 percent after restrictions as farmers are only now beginning to go into production,” said the minister. Molebatsi admitted that some horticultural products had tripled in prices with tomatoes going from P12-P15 per kg to P18-P22 per kg while onions went from P3-P5 per kg to P10-P18 per kg. Saleshando had also called for a partial ban in view of the alarming increases in prices of horticultural products and in order to achieve a supply and demand equilibrium.

      Tags: Carter HikuamaDumelang SaleshandoMolebatsi MolebatsiPolson Majaga

      Navigation

      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      Recent News

      • Bad service chases away 68% of the customers- Research
      • Chobe Holdings Back to Glory Days of Profitability
      • The business perspective: BTC employee/manager saga
      • May 26th Edition
      • Botswana Mobile Data the Most Expensive in the World

      Site

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • E-edition

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password? Sign Up

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms below to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?