The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi, has issued a formal apology to farmers for delays in the supply of seeds and fertilizers, which have negatively impacted the preparation for summer cropping. Mr. Mofosi made this statement on Thursday during a National Assembly session, responding to concerns raised through Urgent Motions and Points of Order that had recently dominated the agenda.
Addressing Parliament, the Minister admitted that inefficiencies on the government’s part hindered timely delivery of critical agricultural inputs. These delays have disrupted efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, a key strategy in combating poverty and hunger.
The call to prioritize agricultural production had been communicated earlier by the Prime Minister, urging all stakeholders to contribute to this national objective. “Many farmers honored the request and prepared for planting, but the delays on the government’s side undermined their efforts,” Mr. Mofosi said. “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and extend our sincerest apologies.”
Commitment to Improvement
Mr. Mofosi emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the bottlenecks in the supply chain to prevent similar challenges in the future. He acknowledged the critical role farmers play in ensuring food security and pledged to work closely with relevant agencies to streamline processes.
“The fight against poverty and hunger cannot succeed without the active participation and support of our farmers,” he stated. “We owe them efficiency and timely support to achieve the goals we have set as a nation.”
The Minister also announced plans to review and improve procurement and distribution mechanisms to avoid disruptions in agricultural supplies.
Farmers’ Reaction
While the apology was welcomed by some farmer representatives, others expressed frustration over the recurring issues in the agricultural sector. They called for tangible solutions and better planning to ensure that such delays do not happen again.
As summer cropping progresses, all eyes are now on the government to deliver on its promise of efficiency and support, ensuring the nation can achieve its food security objectives.
