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Veggie production needs 116% increase to match national demand – LEA

Speaking partnerships: Moatshe says more linkages are required amongst retailers, farmers and financiers PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Speaking partnerships: Moatshe says more linkages are required amongst retailers, farmers and financiers PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) estimates that local production of the 16 crops currently restricted from being imported into the country, will have to be more than doubled to meet local demand.

Prior to the import ban introduced by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security on January 1, 2022, three crops in particular, being potatoes, tomatoes and onions, accounted for 53% of the horticultural import bill.

Currently, local production of potatoes accounts for 49% of national demand, while tomatoes account for 44% of national demand and onions 49%.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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