Agro-processing plant to reduce horticultural imports

SELEBI-PHIKWE: Acting managing director of National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC), Martin Kebakile says the agro-processing plant here is necessary to close the gap between the national demand and current supply.

Botswana currently needs 73, 000 tonnes of horticultural products per annum against the only 43, 000 tonnes produced locally.

Briefing members of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi recently, Kebakile said the import bill stood at P1.8 billion annually. The horticultural industry is valued at P700 million hence the need to set up the agro processing plant.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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