BG reporter 

Farmers are up in arms against a decision by government to cancel the annual agriculture show saying the move will put them out of business. Bathobakae Tamasega, a representative of Glen Valley Farmers Association accused government of lack of consultation following the outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever Disease.
“The cancellation would mean that we would lose greatly,” said Tumasega adding that farmers have always made profits during the show and that grain producers had used the opportunity to learn from their latest trends, technology and farming methods from their regional counterparts.
He said the show is good in the sense that they get practical experience unlike what they read in books or newspapers. “This means we would be a bit far in terms of technology when the fair is hosted next year,” complained Tumasega without revealing the revenue they lost due to the cancellation.
“I think those in manufacturing would lose as they expect to sell some of their stuff there,” he explained. Western Sandveld Farmers Association chairman Mosalage Sesupeng said he is concerned that they have not been officially informed about the cancellation of the show.
“A lot of our farmers have already started preparing for the show and this has come as a shock to them,” he said. Meantime, a representative of the agricultural sector in the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) Emang Maphanyane blamed the agricultural ministry for lack of consultation regarding the matter.
“We are left with no option but to seek the minister’s intervention in the matter,” said Maphanyane adding that they are currently consulting with Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) on how to approach the matter.
He said their members have spent money feeding their livestock in preparation for the show, but only to hear that it has been cancelled. Maphanyene said some of the exhibitors have indicated that they can buy the Rift Valley Fever disease vaccine from South Africa to avoid a situation where the show is not staged.
Last week, the ministry of Agriculture announced its decision to cancel the annual agricultural show citing the outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever Disease in Ramotswana region. The ministry spokesperson, Nathaniel Motshabi said the veterinary department wants to restrict livestock movements in most parts of the southern region.
The fair could have brought livestock from all over the country including the affected region triggering fears that the disease may spread over a wide area. Rift Valley Disease was reported in the South East region last month.
The veterinary department has since banned movement of ruminants in South East, some parts of the Southern District and Greater Gaborone region. Motshabi said the decision to cancel the show would be communicated to all concerned stakeholders and sponsors next week (on the 28th July 2010). He added that a separate agricultural show for grain producers would also not be possible. Government has said it has no money to purchase the vaccine.