CEDA launches new scheme for Farmers

BILLY CHIEPE
Correspondent | Thursday September 25, 2008 00:00

 

Addressing Pandamatenga farmers recently, CEDA chief executive Dr Thapelo Matsheka said he was glad to announce CEDA's new scheme called Ipelege Agricultural Scheme in which farmers will be assisted with seasonal loans for working capital and the procurement of implements just before the ploughing season.

'Working capital will cater for costs of labour, buying seeds and fertilizer while (the loan aspect) for implements will go towards the purchasing of tractors and (other) necessary equipment,' Matsheka said.

'The  new scheme, which is different from the Young Farmers Fund, will avail  loans ranging from P500 to P500 000 at reasonable repayment terms payable after harvesting.'

He urged farmers to start making applications so that they are ready for the rain season, which is almost now. He assured the farmers gathered that processing of the applications will not be long because the application forms have been simplified so that they are not too cumbersome for the average person.

This was one in a series of CEDA meetings to be held throughout the country to sensitise farmers and the business community about CEDA programmes.

CEDA has created opportunities in the form of funds to empower citizens to play a meaning role in the country's economy. There is the CEDA Soft Widow Fund, the Young Farmers Fund, the Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Venture Capital Fund.

The importance of Pandamatenga in terms of food production could not have been better expressed than when former president Festus Mogae acknowledged the perseverance of the people of Pandamantenga and saying he was humbled by it.

Kgosi Mme Banika echoed the former president's words when she welcomed farmers to the meeting. Located in the Chobe District in north- western Botswana, Pandamatenga has vast swathes of fertile land, above-average rainfall and majestic rivers. It was in view of this that Kgosi Banika said Pandamatenga has everything a farmer in could ever wish for. It is also because of this that Pandamatenga is considered as having the potential to become the breadbasket of Botswana as it produces ninety percent of the grain. Botswana is generally better suited for livestock farming than arable farming, and as in most parts of Botswana, rains sometimes come late or do not come at all in Pandamatenga.

Kgosi Banika said arable farming in Botswana is difficult. Last year, Botswana was produced only 30 percent of its food requirements. In spite of these challenges, and the fact that the country has very few commercial farmers, Kgosi Kgosi said Pandamatenga produced a significant amount of maize, sorghum and legumes.

She said she is concerned that the youth are conspicuously absent in farming. This worries her because the youth are the future of the country, and they have the energy and strength to carry out tasks.

Pandamatenga is a black cotton soil area, which has its disadvantages. The soil is thick and clay-like, which means it does not allow water to seep through easily.  After heavy rains, the ground, including the ploughing fields, becomes waterlogged, making drainage and travel problematic.  Thankfully, the Ministry of Agriculture and the African Development Bank are working together to build roads, a drainage system and other infrastructure, projects that could also benefit the small subsistence farmers on communal land here.

Kgosi Banika urged the farmers to take advantage of governments efforts to make Botswana self-sufficient in food and to export food as well.