Parly wants blanket ban on agric imports
In a bid to empower Batswana and force local food retailers to buy agricultural products from local farmers, Parliament wants a ban on importation of all agricultural products.
On Friday, Members of Parliament (MPs) pleaded with the Ministry of Agriculture to consider imposing a ban on importation of all agricultural products to encourage locals to start farming for business and in the process create jobs for other citizens.
The legislators’ views followed a question raised by MP for Maun West, Dumelang Saleshando on issues surrounding a ban on the importation of some horticultural produce. The MPs argued that figures show that on an annual basis, retailers import agricultural products worth millions hence the need to ensure that retailers spend the chunk of their money on buying from local farmers.
The MPs also supported government’s decision to ban some vegetable imports from South Africa and other vegetable exporting countries. They stated that it was a good move as the ban bore fruit as local farmers have started to take advantage of the opportunities that come with feeding the nation.
Strongly supporting the vegetable ban, Ngami MP, Carter Hikuama pleaded with the ministry to consider imposing a ban on all agricultural products. He stated that most of the local farmers’ produce go to waste because the country imports most of agricultural products. “Don’t you have plans as a ministry to consider imposing a ban on all agricultural products because the majority of farmers produce maize and sorghum in large quantities and they end up being eaten by insects like tshupa (wheat weevil)?
These farmers are capable of feeding the nation, but the government is failing them by importing agricultural products,” Hikuama said. Sharing the same sentiments, MP for Nata-Gweta, Polson Majaga also pleaded with the ministry to consider imposing a ban on all agricultural products including meat.
“The ministry should be bold and ban all agricultural products to empower locals. Stop being controlled by supply and demand because our import bill is too high. The ministry should consider requesting for more funds to support this initiative because it will relieve the country of depending too much on other countries,” Majaga said.
Sefhare-Ramokgonami legislator, Kesitegile Gobotswang echoed the other legislators’ concerns stating that local farmers are capable of feeding the nation, hence the need for government support.
“Before the vegetable ban, there was a farmer based in Panda {Pandamatenga} who was producing sweet potatoes in large quantities and exporting them to Namibia. What happened to these farmers?” Gobotswang asked. When responding, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi said they plan to impose the ban on all agricultural products including fruits but currently they do not have enough money to do so.
“As MPs, you are the ones who should support this initiative by requesting money for the ministry. We have introduced the horticulture Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) to facilitate horticultural farmers to increase production levels, but the budget is not enough. I agree with you, it is a good initiative that can empower locals and help us to reduce the import bill,” Molebatsi said.
However, Molebatsi said they are doing everything they can to provide a 50% grant to farmers but a majority of them are delaying the process by failing to contribute their share.
He stated that the vegetable ban is bearing fruit as the percentage of the national production of tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and ginger against the total demand following the vegetable import ban is 51.2%, 74.9%, 55.6%, and 0.1% respectively.
“Currently, these crops range between 50% and 70% of local production against demand except for ginger as farmers are beginning to get into production. Generally, there is an increase in total production of restricted crops to date except in tomatoes,” Molebatsi said.