Farmers urged to commercialise activities

Farmers have been urged to move from subsistence to commercial agriculture to maximise the productive capacity of their land. The call was made by a deputy director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Cheneso Moncho and Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete during field day celebrations. Seboko said that agriculture was the backbone of the country's economy as it was not threatened by international markets like diamonds. She therefore urged the people to commercialise their farming activities. She regretted that agricultural production had dwindled over the years.

Kgosi Mosadi had been installed as the first female Paramount Chief of the Bagamalete in late August, 2003, after a long succession dispute.

For his part the deputy director Moncho encouraged farmers to take their field soil samples to agricultural demonstrators for testing for nutrients. He said the government has come up with a programme to address issues such as food security, increased agricultural output, poverty alleviation and employment creation. Farmers had the opportunity to view exhibits of farming implements invented by the Rural Industries Innovation Centre (RIIC). (Mmegi/The Reporter, Gaborone)