Vegetable farmers suffer heavy post harvest losses
Botswana limiting her value chain growth by exporting simple machinery While agricultural engineering graduates go underutilised
The good thing that comes out is, Batswana as a nation responded positively towards the call to take farming as business instead of a hobby in order for the country to be self- sufficient in food security.
However, sadly, most farmers go for the same products thereby over saturating the market and leading to heavy post- harvest losses, Botswana Guardian has learned.
It was said during the exhibition and workshop that Batswana flood to the same products when it comes to farming as they seem much more interested in potatoes and cabbage production which mostly perish in the plots and are left to feed animals such as goats.
This was confirmed by farmers last Saturday during the first- ever professional and national Agro Product Processing Exhibition ( APPE) workshop held at Mountain View garden in the Southern District. During the exhibition farmers were taught preservation methods as to avoid post- harvest losses so that they can possibly manufacture high quality local products to sustain the country and even to export and compete internationally.
Botswana is also limiting its growth opportunity in agricultural produce as farmers still have to buy most of the farming tools from outside instead of utilising the agricultural engineering graduates many of whom are unemployed to manufacture such simple machinery like chicken cages.
The attendees agreed that it only takes a technician to know the number of birds in a cage which is normally a maximum of five ( 5) and allow the eggs to roll to the collection point. The cage has to be fitted with water system with nipples to make it easier for drinking which prevents chickens from contracting diseases.
The event attracted a total of 152 farmers excluding the 45 exhibitors who attended the workshop for the entire day, while 107 came as visitors. There were 11 exhibitors in total and the information shared was of the highest value.
The hosts, Farmers Clan exhibited sheep and goats and also training on using lotlhaka as animal feeds. Its importance in reducing incidence of acidosis and bloat, as well as how it can manage incidence of poisoning during early rainfalls.
Mabele Poultry Supplies exhibited its pullets and poultry cages, they deliberated on Layer value chains. The Agric Research Council which appeared to be the centre of attraction especially for women gave a lecture on potatoes production and vegetable preservation together with its value chains.
Another local company, Mpatlise App showed their digital way of helping farmers sell their products and how to use electronic gadgets to track and monitor one’s livestock.
Botswana University of Natural Resources ( BUAN) entrepreneurs who are still under incubation, brought their quality packaged pork and eggs. There was also Food Forage; a company owned by a Motswana graduate of BUAN who manufactures Peanoko Peanut butter.
Chilli Sauce Bechauana - a company funded under the YDF project produces sauces for marinating. The owner of Mountain View Garden and farm, Hilda Senome supported the initiative by providing her farm free of charge.
The good gesture enabled the youthful team of organisers who operated on limited resources to successfully host the event.
One of the organisers, Omphemetse Mogorosi said they will make this into an annual event and monitor the number of Small Medium Enterprises to groom and expose them to the market.
“We are going to be hosting mini trainings on poultry and beekeeping value chains monthly. We shall do these mini trainings targeting different locations as per the area needs,” said Mogorosi.