P2m to fund projects in rural communities
Palms for Life Fund Botswana ( PFL) in partnership with Green Gem will run projects to establish functional hydroponics units in Remote Area Communities ( RACs) in Botswana.
Green Gem will receive funding from Palms for Life amounting to close to P2 million for the running of the project that is expected to strengthen food security, incomegenerating opportunities and skills development for Remote Area Dwellers.
It will be developed in collaboration between PFL, government ministries and Green Gem. During this phase, the Project will target 10 RACs and will be supported by the appropriate regional entities in Central, Ghanzi, Southern and Kweneng Districts covering the following villages; Malatswai, Sehunuo, Kedia, Khwee, Otse, Mokgenene, Manxotae, New Xade, Kgomodiatshaba and Kuke.
Most RACs in Botswana require technical and human investment to improve local access to food. In line with the Botswana Vision 2036 Pillar on Human and Social Development, this Project will introduce resourceefficient methods for growing healthy food in RACs, particularly using hydroponic agriculture, a Climate- Smart Agriculture ( CSA). With Project support and funding during a period of 12 months, Green Gem will deploy staff and transfer essential hydroponic technical skills, and basic business management skills, enabling new, sustainable food supplies in RACs.
CEO of Green Gem, Raymond Matsake said at the launch of the partnership this week that the project is a significant contribution towards providing food security by promoting domestic production to meet the demands of growing population and reduce the huge import wage bill. From the initiative, he expects that 10 new jobs will be created and help to keep the 10 jobs from possible redundant due to the impact of Covid.
“In these 10 settlements people will be trained on how to run vegetable business using hydroponic by Green Gem staff. The first 10 rural settlements will run as a pilot study. This preliminary study will aim to evaluate adverse event and improve upon study design hopefully prior to perform of full- scale project in six constituencies,” Matseke said.
Further stating that, “This project is unique because it will take place at the Rural Development areas and we can’t do it without RADs. Rural Development is concerned with the reduction of poverty and finding ways to help provide opportunities for income generation.”
Private Secretary to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Berzack Maphakwane said the hydroponics initiative will go a long way in promoting community development, healthy living and food security among Remote Areas Communities.
He further said the initiative is testimony to the pursuit of the government’s long standing goals of rural development, as well as being in full alignment to the government’s reset and transformation agenda.