Farmers Market disrupts agricultural value chains
Monday, November 27, 2023 | 340 Views |
Fruits and vegetables in a market
The spirited entrepreneur is bent on creating a platform that sparks conversations on how agriculture in Botswana can be made better and he does this through a renowned farmers market that is hosted annually in Molepolole. The farmers market is a network session of agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers, organised to serve as a platform where farmers can showcase their produce.
The agric get together has attracted mass interest from Batswana who usually use this as a chance to purchase fresh farm produce from farmers. “We are advocates of value chain development, we want to strengthen the market cords that join farmers and consumers,” he said.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...