The Gantsi District Show got a share of P55, 000 to be used in the development of the show grounds such as construction of permanent stalls and electrification.
This is a welcome development for a company that contributes roughly 50 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the mining of diamonds.
The donation also comes at a time when the contribution made by agriculture dropped to disappointing levels. The country is experiencing the worst drought in decades.
We believe that the donation will not only encourage farmers to work harder to participate in the agricultural shows but it will also encourage the youth to take agriculture as a career that can improve one's standard of living through the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) Young Farmers Fund.
Donations like this also have the potential to reduce rural urban migration since people will be encouraged to stay in rural areas to actively participate in agriculture to feed the nation.
The Gantsi District Show, Maunatlala and Lentsweletau shows are exemplary and successful shows that need to be encouraged.
We take this opportunity to urge the private sector, especially those involved in agriculture, to show the same gesture as Debswana by making donations to these events so that they are successful and publicised outside the country.
They can also take advantage of these events to market their products and services to the rural public by exhibiting at the shows.
This will help in economic diversification in rural areas while on the other hand creating employment opportunities.
We also take this opportunity to thank Mascom Wireless for co-sponsoring awards for best animals, small stock and cattle at the Gantsi District Show.
The contributions Mascom is making to economic growth of this country are impressive.
For the company to be sponsoring the main football league in the country is something we cannot ignore.
Sports, if well managed and sponsored, could be a form of employment, which can eventually market the country abroad through export of high quality players.
Today's Thought
