Horticultural Council criticise retailers

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday December 10, 2010 00:00

Diteko was responding to statements made by supermarket owners here last week  following shortages of tomatoes in which they accused farmers of not producing enough.

In an interview  this week, Diteko told Mmegi Business that there are monthly meetings that are held between hawkers, traders, producers and Ministry of Agriculture.

He explained that it is during these meetings that the Ministry of Agriculture representatives brief the attendees about the amount of vegetables that has been planted and the yield that is expected. Diteko said in their last meeting, it came to light that there was enough supply of vegetables in the country hence the border has been closed. He stated that some supermarkets are trying to push the Ministry of Agriculture to open the borders even when the supply is enough in Botswana.

He mentioned that the Agricultural industry in Botswana is still emerging when compared to South Africa.

Diteko said it is unfortunate that there are some supermarkets that are complaining about shortage of tomatoes in Selebi-Phikwe.

'They are enough supplies and supermarkets know where to get tomatoes. They prefer to buy from South Africa where it is cheaper. Consumers do not benefit from the lower prices that the supermarkets get from South Africa,' he said. Diteko admitted that it is true that there are some farmers who do not produce good quality vegetables but there are some who produce good quality ones.

He stated that the government is trying to grow the Agricultural industry but there are some unscrupulous business people who want to sabotage local farmers.

A representative of Daily Needs Supermarket said the situation of  tomatoes is improving slowly since the beginning of this week.

He mentioned that they have been able to get some supplies adding that they have been struggling to get tomatoes in the past few weeks.

'We try our best to support local farmers but there are some instances when they disappoint us by not delivering as agreed. We have a business to run and we cannot allow a supplier to affect it by being unreliable,' he said.

A hawker at the Selebi-Phikwe bus rank, Bugalo Mmolawa said the Selebi-Phikwe region has fertile land because it is closer to South Africa and they share the same weather pattern.

He said the government must work hard in turning the region into a horticultural hub. Mmolawa said Botswana Horticultural Council must not be talking about the opening and closing of borders but pushing for the horticultural industry to be developed.

'We should not be importing tomatoes and cabbages at all. We must be self reliant and strict measures be put in place to stop supermarkets from buying vegetables outside,' said Mmolawa.

He pointed out that there are enough vegetables especially tomatoes in the region that can feed the market and it is surprising to see empty racks in some supermarkets.