Prospective Young Farmers to be thoroughly screened

By Epena Ngatangue

The Principal Youth Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture  Mothusi Maliehe has called for thorough screening of prospective young farmers who want to apply for funding for their projects as this will have a considerable impact to the economy.

Speaking in an interview, Maliehe said the youth should be encouraged to consider the suitability of the location for their project, noting that horticultural projects should be undertaken where there is sufficient water like in the Shakawe areas.

Maliehe noted that generally most youth projects the Ministry of Agriculture monitors are doing well.  He said the projects range from those that are self funded, 4B funded, and those of the Youth Development Fund, Young Farmers Fund and banks like the National Development Bank as well as those from other schemes such as Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) and the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD).

Cattle rearing seem to be doing well in the Kgalagadi area, adding that young women seem to be clustered in poultry, the Youth Officer further said. He also pointed out that horticulture on the whole is doing well in all the regions and across the gender divide.

On the challenges young farmers face, Maliehe said these range from improper management practices, ineffective marketing strategies and a lack of sustained motivation and perseverance. He noted that another challenge is shortage of farm workers.

Maliehe said experts and vaccines are far from the farms of young farmers, adding that prices of fuel for irrigation projects are high. He further said frequent outbreak of diseases poses as a challenge as well as late disbursement of funds.

On the issue of raising awareness for youth to become actively involved in agriculture, Maliehe said there was need for mass mobilization of youth to venture into agriculture through publicity of targeted youth agricultural programmes.

He said vigorous campaigns have to be taken on for youth to become active in agribusiness, and suggested that Agriculture should be a compulsory subject right up to Form Five level and reduce entry requirements at Botswana College of Agriculture in order to attract more youth.

Maliehe further said his office lack funds to workshop prospective and practicing young farmers.

On how recession has affected youth projects, he lamented that inputs, equipment and produce have become more expensive.

On the effectiveness of youth associations, Maliehe pointed out that  in the Central District there is one association called New Generation which he said is very effective. He said another one would be launched in the Southern District very soon.

“We are in the process of formulating the operational logistics of the umbrella association namely Botswana Young Farmers Association,” he said.