Woolworths commits to supporting local farmers
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday June 21, 2022 06:00
Speaking at the unveiling of the new Woolworths Store on Thursday in Galo Mall, Lekau said that Woolworths will continue to work with local farmers who supply them across their 16 stores across the country. “Currently, we source 27 different types of produce from local farmers plus more than 20 other products from local entities.
These products range from bakery, water, horticulture to mention but a few. Over and above that, we are one of the biggest consumers of Nortex Northern Textile Mills Botswana (Pty) Ltd towels.
We sell these towels not only in Botswana across our stores but we also export them to all countries that Woolworths trades in,” Lekau said. Giving a keynote address during the momentous ceremony, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Neo Chengeta, thanked Woolworths for heeding the government's call of sourcing their products from local farmers. Said Chengeta: “Today’s event comes at a time when Botswana is still a net importer of all main food commodities with the exception of beef.
We should all take note that the cost of food imports to this country is doubling every decade. Therefore, to reduce this food import bill, there is a need for expansion of domestic food production in a way that provides adequate returns to producers.” As a country, Chengeta continued, we can only achieve this if we undertake total transformation of our agricultural sector, especially on ensuring that our food value chains are fully developed to an extent that we can be inclusive as much as possible. Chengeta stated that in a bid to improve the local farming industry, government took a deliberate decision to close the borders on import of numerous horticultural produce. “This was meant to support the local market to find its feet in the production of food and hopefully ultimately to move towards a self-sustainable food sector.
Your participation in supporting the local producers will go a long way in ascertaining the achievement of this initiative. I have trust and have confidence in the Woolworths management that you are opening this food section with the intention to support local producers as a way of expanding the food value chain,” Chengeta said.
Chengeta noted that Woolworths in Francistown was strategically located in an agricultural zone that supports horticulture and citrus produce. “My only hope would be to see your shelves being lined with products from local producers, especially on a horizontal supply chain as opposed to a vertical one.
I thank the management of Woolworths for for taking stewardship on the inclusion of food supply chains in their business models, and for providing constant support to the local food producers to ensure the achievement of food security in the country.
Together, we can make enlightened transformative agricultural decisions that will place our people and the country on course for a better future...” Chengeta added. Chengeta’s words were echoed by councillor Modiri Lucas who was speaking on behalf of the mayor of Francistown, Godisang Radisigo. Lucas said: “Let me acknowledge and congratulate Woolworths for having found it fit to expand its store by adding a fresh produce section.
This is a very commendable development because it would not only be convenient for your clients but open a market to our people who are running garden farms in and around Francistown. I, therefore, urge farmers who produce fresh produce to start negotiating supply contracts with Woolworths Francistown.”