Agric contribution to GDP low- minister
Oageng Batenegi | Friday July 29, 2016 15:38
The minister stated that currently the agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP stand at only two percent, which is a decline from 20% at independence.
He however refused to label the decline as “drastic”, stating that the sector has grown “significantly” since independence in 1966.
Autlwetse said at independence, there were no commercial arable farmers unlike today when there are 90 arable commercial farmers producing an average of three tonnes per hectare of cereal.
He added that subsistence farmers produce 500 kilogrammes (kg) per hectare compared to less that 200 kg per hectare in 1966.
The minister further indicated that there were no horticultural producers at independence and that to date the country is 55% self-sufficient in horticultural produce.
“We also produce 10% of our national demand for honey while there was no honey production in 1966,” said Autlwetse.
According to the minister, the livestock sector has also shown significant growth in the last 50 years. He said today the livestock population stands at 2.5 million and 1.8 million for cattle and small stock respectively. “Cattle mortality is at 12%, off take stands at 8.4% and the average cold dress mass is 200 kg,” he said.
He also noted that the country is now self-sufficient in poultry, adding that it produces five percent of the national demand for fresh milk.
“In 1966 all these products were imported,” said the minister.
However, Autlwetse said the decline in the agricultural sector’s contribution compared to independence was caused by the growth of other sectors in the economy that came into the picture as the government promoted economic diversification.
“Some of the sectors that have grown at a faster rate than agriculture include mining, tourism, manufacturing, trade, construction, business services and transport and communications,” he elaborated. He added that however, his ministry has put in place several programmes and projects to promote and improve the agricultural sector.
Autlwetse said these programmes include the National Agricultural Master-plan for Arable Agriculture and Dairy Development (NAMPAADD), Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD), Livestock Management and Infrastructure development (LIMID), Young Farmers Fund (YFF) and Artificial Insemination (AI).