Shoshong benchmarks with SA on agriculture

Kgomotso Molelekeng
Correspondent | Monday May 6, 2013 00:00

The delegation of farmers includes youth who are in farming as well as those who failed their attempts at business in their initial attempts. Shoshong Constituency Senior Administration officer, Botswelelo Tlale said the delegation will be hosted by various South African businesses which include a fertilizer manufacturing company called FM Organics, Sentor 360, a company which manufactures irrigation centre pivots and Castello farms which is a company that owns over 20 integrated commercial farms all over SA.

Other Botswana entities, which are part of the mission, include the Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC), the department of youth, Ministry of Agriculture and CEDA. Botswana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Kenny Kapinga will also join the delegation.Tlale further stated that Makgalemele and Mphoyakgosi are expected to sign an agreement with all the three companies to set up business in Shoshong and conclude a franchise agreement with Castello Farms to launch a scientific farming integrated tool kit which will be accessed by all farmers in Botswana.

'Shoshong Constituency launched an Invest Destination Strategy in February 2011 and has been engaging some successful farmers in the North West province to partner in commercial farming,' Tlale said.The latest mission is designed to tap into the top class integrated farming techniques available in South Africa.

Some of the farmers in the delegation will make follow up discussions to conclude business partnerships.The delegation is expected to return today.