MoA proposes P25m for drought relief projects
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Thursday July 28, 2016 14:22
The Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Ralotsia told Mmegi in a brief interview this week that they have budgeted P25 million for drought relief initiatives under his ministry. He said that this represents a significant drop from last year's budget because it is a short-term measure, which will be reviewed at the end of the year.
The P25 million is part of government’s drought relief plan to cushion the effects of drought caused by poorly distributed and below normal rainfall in most parts of the country.
“This is for the period beginning July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 when an assessment will be made to see if there is need for more funding or not. It is short term because we are hoping the situation will have improved by the end of the year,” he said.
The minister said that this includes the 25% livestock feed subsidy and the agricultural credit guarantee scheme. In his declaration, the President said that government will immediately initiate relief measures that include the agricultural credit guarantee scheme, 25% livestock feed subsidy, greater destitute safety nets and support for needy households, primary school children and health facilities.
The SADC region is experiencing the worst drought in years, with at least 57,000 Batswana facing hunger.
The MoA has also announced an exemption of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all items transferred from Livestock Advisory Centre and sold at Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board outlets countrywide as another measure to cushion the devastating drought effects for farmers.
The effects of the drought have already been felt in the country following increased deaths of livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats in Kweneng, Kgatleng and some parts of the central districts after feeding on a poisonous plant, parvetta harborii or legong-nyana, as commonly known in Setswana.