Temo Letlotlo to supplement strategic grain reserves

Pandamatenga silos
Pandamatenga silos

Government’s new inputs programme, Temo Letlotlo, has put a provision that requires all participating farmers to make a compulsory donation of 50kg bag of grain for every hectare subsidised to the strategic grain reserve effective the 2024-2025 planting season. Documents availed on Temo Letlotlo, which is replacing the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD), states that the move is expected to promote ‘Go Ipelega’ and cultivate the spirit of self reliance amongst farmers.

To facilitate seamless execution of the scheme, the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) has been tasked with the responsibility of collecting donations. At minimum, BAMB is required to keep 10,000 tonnes of sorghum, 10,000 tonnes of maize, and 2,000 tonnes of beans.

Earlier this year, the Minister of Agriculture, Fidelis Molao, revealed that government plans to provide funding for the construction of additional 12 grain storage silos in Pandamatenga as part of the common facilities to be utilised by commercial farmers operating within the agricultural Special Economic Zone. The additional facilities are expected to enhance both the efficiency and efficacy of grain management. The provision of additional facilities will also facilitate the separation of crops being sorghum, maize, wheat and sunflower while other produce such as millet, ground nuts and cowpeas will be catered for in a warehouse.

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