Botswana growers have started a project that is expected to strengthen food security, income-generating opportunities, and skills development for people in remote areas.
In collaboration with the government, the partnership between Palm For Life (PFL) and Green Gems will target ten villages including Malatswai, Sehunuo, Kedia, Khwee, Otse, Mokgenene, Manxotae, New Xade, Kgomodiatshaba, and Kuke.
Speaking at a signing ceremony for the partnership this week, Rural Development Council Secretary Berzack Maphakwane said the initiative would go a long way in promoting community development, healthy lifestyles, and food security in remote communities.
“The initiative is also a testament to the pursuit of the government’s long-standing rural development goals while being fully aligned with the government’s reset and transformation agenda,” he said.
He said the partnership would help achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local economies in the most remote areas of the country.
For his part, Green Gems founder Raymond Matsake said the initiative will not only create 10 direct jobs, but it will also ensure those jobs are not redundant due to the pandemic.
“In these 10 settlements, people will be trained on how to run vegetable businesses using hydroponics by Green Gem staff while Palms for Life funds the project,” he said. “The first 10 rural settlements will function as a pilot study that will aim to assess adverse events and hopefully improve study design before the large-scale project is carried out in six wards.”
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