According to the minister of Agriculture Patrick Ralotsia, the process has been suspended so as to clear the backlog for procurement of small livestock. “In essence, this is not a suspension of the programmes as such but we have stopped receiving applications to deal with the backlog. We don’t want to keep on receiving but without supplying. Some of these applications date as far back as 2014,” said Ralotsia.
The ministry announced last Friday that both LIMID and Special ISPAAD have been suspended effective immediately as the ministry reviews the programmes. Ralotsia explained that they expect to start receiving applications in three months time when the backlog issue would have been addressed. “I am hoping that in three or so months we will continue the programmes.” He allayed fears that the programmes would be scrapped off. He said that the programmes have been doing well judging by the demand from the farmers. He said farmers have applauded the two programmes and pleaded with government to increase their scope. “They have been doing well, if they were not doing well we wouldn’t be having this backlog. People are interested and farmers are impressed and are appealing that we increase the services,” he said, adding that government has spent a substantial amount of money on the two programmes over the years. The Special ISPAAD programme was launched in 2014 to complement the conventional ISPAAD to suit specific areas with similar agro-climatic conditions that are not suited to arable farming.
