Orange farmer decries lack of government subsidy
Friday, September 07, 2018
Little government support for fruit farmers
Magwana is the only Motswana in Bobirwa and Tuli Block area who produces oranges to supply the country. His farm is in Molalatau village.
He told Mmegi that despite his quest to contribute towards the country being self-sufficient in food production to reduce the import bill, he continues to incur huge costs on electricity, fertilisers and pest control chemicals.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...