By Martha Makwates, The Voice (Francistown)
11 December 2007

Our government wisely wishes to diversify the economy. A carrot is dangled by underscoring job opportunities - more than 3000 jobs at a minimum wage of P600 per month - by cultivating 10,000 hectares of sugar cane and harnessing the water of the Zambesi River.

But count the cost -10,000 hectares of Kasane forest reserve replaced by sugar cane! In a country with a land surface consisting largely of Kalahari Desert, every tree is precious. Think of destroying trees in the current crisis of climate change. Not only is the intrinsic value of the trees worth more than many years of sugar crops (even if it does produce alternative fuel as well as sugar). And what picture will such a move paint in the international eco-sensitive world?

Tourism is our second greatest economic powerhouse. Tourists arriving in Kasane/Chobe will surely not be enamoured by endless vistas of sugar cane fields, when they are spending big money to see the natural wonders of well-preserved Botswana. And make no mistake; tourism represents a very substantial job market for citizens. Citizen owned companies are on the increase too. Community of Kasane, think again before saying NO to tourism.

Has the impact on wildlife been given due consideration? Chobe area is well known for the abundance of elephants. Equally well known, is an elephant's dietary preference for sugar cane. How will the conflict between elephants and sugar cane farmers be resolved? By shooting the elephant? Perhaps that is the sinister ploy behind the scheme.

The attempt to make Botswana self-sufficient in terms of food crops gave birth to Pandamatenga farms. A great idea, but not sufficiently researched. The result - a failed scheme costing the government a huge amount of money, the loss of natural habitat in one of the better rainfall areas resulting in fallow fields where once wildlife supporting vegetation thrived, not to mention thousands of head of game, including high profile species like Sable, slaughtered for impacting on the crops. If we must have sugar cane fields (there is no world shortage of sugar), research the possibility of using the cleared fields at Pandamatenga and pipe the water down. Look before you leap - PLEASE.

As a suggestion for diversifying the economy - would it not be practical for some enterprising citizen to open a market and abbatoir for donkeys. Donkeys have proliferated to the point where they are costing human lives through road accidents, grazing vegetation that could be used by other livestock, and a burden to their owners as they have no ready sale value (apart from the few animals used for transport). Not being cloven-hooved they are not subject to the same foot-and-mouth restrictions as cattle, and could be more readily moved to a designated point. The meat could then be canned and sold for pet food.

We have a great country. Let us try to avoid man-made disasters.

Article at the following link:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200712110713.html