Social welfare programmes embody MDGs - 29 June, 2007
SEROWE - Social welfare programmes are some of the strategies that have embodied the Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty, says Mr Nelson Molepolole, the deputy council secretary for the Central District.
Schemes like ALDEP and other social safety nets are also in place to support those who are disadvantaged, he said in response to a proposal from Cllr William Selei of Mabesekwa at the full council meeting on Tuesday.
Cllr Selei had requested the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to infuse the poverty reduction strategy into the national development plans so that it should be taken aboard by government departments and the private sector.
Presenting the motion, Mr Selei said it was prompted by citizens who were concerned about the rate of poverty in the country despite accomplishments in the fields of education, health and physical infrastructure provision.
He emphasised the need to diversify the economy to reduce Botswanas high unemployment rate, adding that a study that was conducted by the World Bank in 2001 revealed that most of the unemployed were graduates, the youth and people in rural areas.
He said citizens should in line with Vision 2016 show dedication in shaping the destiny of their country, as they stood to benefit.
However, Mr Selei eventually withdrew the motion together with the one that requested the Ministry of Local Government to legalise and regulate the settings and operations of the village development committees. BOPA Daily News Archive
Monday, July 23, 2007
Agriculture can contribute more - 04 July, 2007
Agriculture can contribute more - 04 July, 2007
MAHALAPYE - Agriculture needs to be developed if it is to contribute more than it presently do to Botswanas economic growth, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Olifant Mfa, said.
Addressing a kgotla meeting at Pallaroad near Mahalapye on Friday, Mr Mfa urged arable farmers to adopt viable farming methods and to plant sunflower, vegetables and fruits instead of growing only traditional crops such as maize and sorghum.
Mr Mfa raised concern about the residents failure to use agricultural programmes, as evidenced by the fact that only one resident has applied for assistance through the new ALDEP programme.
He advised the youth to use the Young Farmers Fund, an investment window under the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, to invest in income-generating projects, thus reducing unemployment.
To reduce rural-urban migration, he said government had come up with schemes that encourage people to gainfully engage in farming.
He explained that his ministry was in the process of controlling prices of stock feed and other agricultural products to, among others, restrain companies from hiking the prices unnecessarily.
The Chairman of the Farmers Committee, Mr Phang Gaorengwe, complained about impalas, which have destroyed the crops, saying the wildlife department should compensate the affected farmers.
Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, the MP for Mahalapye East, said she would invite the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to a meeting with the residents regarding the impala problem. BOPA"...MORE
MAHALAPYE - Agriculture needs to be developed if it is to contribute more than it presently do to Botswanas economic growth, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Olifant Mfa, said.
Addressing a kgotla meeting at Pallaroad near Mahalapye on Friday, Mr Mfa urged arable farmers to adopt viable farming methods and to plant sunflower, vegetables and fruits instead of growing only traditional crops such as maize and sorghum.
Mr Mfa raised concern about the residents failure to use agricultural programmes, as evidenced by the fact that only one resident has applied for assistance through the new ALDEP programme.
He advised the youth to use the Young Farmers Fund, an investment window under the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, to invest in income-generating projects, thus reducing unemployment.
To reduce rural-urban migration, he said government had come up with schemes that encourage people to gainfully engage in farming.
He explained that his ministry was in the process of controlling prices of stock feed and other agricultural products to, among others, restrain companies from hiking the prices unnecessarily.
The Chairman of the Farmers Committee, Mr Phang Gaorengwe, complained about impalas, which have destroyed the crops, saying the wildlife department should compensate the affected farmers.
Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, the MP for Mahalapye East, said she would invite the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to a meeting with the residents regarding the impala problem. BOPA"...MORE
Mfa Scores Own Goal
Mfa Scores Own Goal by TUMELO SETSHOGO
In a strange twist of events Assistant Minister of Agriculture Olifant Mfa has slammed a programme run by his ministry. At a Kgotla meeting in Mochudi on Friday, Mfa launched a frontal attack on the government drought relief programme and dismissed it as a waste of time and resources."
In a strange twist of events Assistant Minister of Agriculture Olifant Mfa has slammed a programme run by his ministry. At a Kgotla meeting in Mochudi on Friday, Mfa launched a frontal attack on the government drought relief programme and dismissed it as a waste of time and resources."
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