GIVE AWAY FIRST TRACTOR IN F/TOWN
Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) gave away the first of two tractors in it’s ‘Win a Tractor’ draw in Francistown last Friday.
The top-of-the-range John Deere machine was won by Bulawayo-born, Nkululeko Maduma Fuzwayo at an event held at BAMB’S Francistown offices. The competition, which ended on 31st March, was open to all BAMB customers who spent P500 or more on agriculture inputs, animal feed, and seeds. According to the acting BAMB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Benjamin Ditsele, the ‘Win a Tractor’ initiative was meant to help farmers sustain their businesses. “This is our way of supporting farmers. We hope the winner of this tractor will help other farmers to help increase the yield,” said Dr Ditsele, adding the scheme also supports the Botswana government’s farming programmes. Ditsele further noted that since the competition started last year, BAMB have enjoyed very good sales and even gained new customers from some of their competitors. “We’ve to evaluate how this competition went and how the public perceived it, and then make a decision whether to bring it back,” he said. The acting CEO explained the choice of the tractor brand was deliberate, as they wanted something that could withstand the test of time. “The John Deere is in the top 5 in the world. It’s a powerful machine and very durable which can be used for ploughing, planting and harvesting. It should remain in the winner’s family for many years, and even be inherited by their grandchildren,” he declared. Highlighting their mandate as BAMB, Ditsele explained they are mandated to provide a market for locally produced goods and ensure adequate supply exists for them to sell at affordable prices to the nation. “We also maintain the strategic grain reserves in an effort to ensure food security for the nation. We basically exist because of the farmers, both arable and livestock farmers,” he said. In a brief interview, an elated Fuzwayo revealed he qualified for the draw after buying vaccines for his livestock. The permanent resident of Botswana, who has a farm in Zimbabwe and Gulubane, thanked BAMB for what he termed ‘a life-changing initiative’. “I’ll definitely put this tractor to good use. It is such a blessing,” he said, beaming with delight at his good fortune. The event also saw 40 lucky farmers walk away with hampers which included P200 vegetable seeds vouchers, P200 Fertiliser vouchers, Pesticide vouchers and knapsack sprayers. The second and final draw will take place in Gaborone this week.