MOSISEDI HARVEST DAY HAILED A SUCCESS

Mosisedi Commercial Farmers Association (MCFA) in collaboration with the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) recently hosted its annual Harvest Day under the theme “Climate Smart Farming for Sustainable Arable Agriculture” in Mosi Village on the 6th of May 2017. In attendance was the Vice President, His Honour Mokgweetsi E Masisi, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security - Honourable Patrick Ralotsia, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration - Honourable Eric Molale, The Chinese Ambassador to Botswana – Zhao Yambo and Kgosi Malope II, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security – Honourable Shaw Kgathi and the Chief Executive Officer of CEDA Mr. Thabo Thamane.

In his address the Vice President stated that about 50 per cent of Batswana are reliant on rain fed agriculture for their livelihoods. Mr. Masisi further applauded the farmers of the Mosisedi Commercial Farmers Association for their relentless efforts in meeting the objectives and expectations of the Presidents flagship programmes. The Vice President also commended the Association for adopting the theme as it gave relevance to the plight that farmers are faced with in light of the recent climate conditions which resulted in poor production outputs whilst inputs remain heavy. He said that farmers need to find new, efficient and eco-friendly ways of producing food through smart farming.

The Vice President said government welcomed the contributions and feedback that farmers gave them as it would assist in improving agricultural policies and ensure prosperity for all. He added that Government remains committed in supporting the agricultural sector through provision of technical and financial assistance programmes. He went on to say “Government, with additional technical support from regional and global partners, has introduced the climate smart agriculture programme with the aim of improving agricultural productivity while reducing farmers vulnerability to climate change”.

Mr. Masisi prompted farmers throughout the country to keep up with the trends and embrace the concept of Climate Smart Agriculture in an effort to promote sustainable agricultural growth with increased output per hectare. Mr. Masisi went on to explain that the Mosisedi Farmers were amongst those that had previously benefited from the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) that was launched last year. Through ESP the Government has made significant strides towards sustainable farming practices and learn from one another. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Zhao Yambo who was there as a Guest Speaker acknowledged the efforts that the Mosisedi Commercial Farmers Association had made towards sustainable farming practices. He said that the world had experienced different weather patterns from flooding and harsh droughts over the past few years. In closing his speech the Ambassador said that both China and Botswana faced similar climatic patterns and through this opportunities for China and Botswana to work together present themselves.
For his part the Chief Executive Officer of CEDA, Mr. Thabo Thamane equally commended the Association for heeding to the call of sustainable food security in Botswana. Mr. Thamane explained that CEDA had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Association in order to provide the Mosisedi Farmers with Technical and Financial assistance. Mr. Thamane expressed that CEDA remains committed to the farming sector throughout the country. “CEDA will assist in many ways including funding, training, monitoring and mentoring, but there are other players in the industry that I have advised Mosisedi members to enter into written agreements with. These are providers of inputs, services and markets to the business. I keep saying that funding alone is not the answer to all entrepreneurship challenges” he said.

In closing the official proceedings, Mr. Quett Rabai the Chairman of the Mosisedi Commercial Farmers Association thanked the Vice President and dignitaries for honouring the invite to the farmers day. He went on to explain that the Association remains committed to Sustainable Food Security in light of the difficult farming conditions faced by every farmer in not only Botswana but the world over.

After the formal proceedings there were networking sessions where farmers were given the platform to discuss the different farming issues around the theme. To close off the day the public was given a tour of the various farms and a live horse race to seal off the