Horticulture Market set to resurrect
Friday, November 10, 2023 | 780 Views |
Flashback: The original Botswana Horticultural Market went under in 2017
Presenting the State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said government will facilitate the establishment of a horticulture market.
“The market will enhance self-reliance, access, competitiveness, and price stability, the result of which will be the promoting of wider citizen participation in the agro-business and associated value chains,” 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...