FARMING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Corporate Social Responsibilities
Apart from creating employment opportunities, import substitution, foreign currency earnings through exports and payment of corporate taxes, OFMB recognizes an opportunity to improve the agricultural industry of the country.
OFMB participates vigorously throughout the country, giving back information and inputs to the community through field days, shows, trials etc.
Through the processing of raw materials and the manufacturing of fertilizers OFMB is contributing significantly to improving the environment and ensuring Botswana is recognized as being an active participant in the world’s battle against climate change and environmental degradation.
OFMB plans to initiate an “Adopt a School Programme” with the co-operation of the Ministries of Agriculture and Education whereby OFMB will liaise with schools, teachers and extension officers in each district and support and promote the education of those students partaking in the agricultural courses at their school. This will be done by a dedicated team on the ground supplying fertilizers at wholesale prices, developing the school gardens and practical sites and offering advice to students and teachers.
In this way the schools will also act as extension and trial plots and the information provided to the students will be passed on to parents and relatives through the 'information highway' of the children teaching others.
A number of other companies including financial institutions will be asked to participate in the programme thereby ensuring the participation of the private sector in agricultural development in Botswana.
In addition to the above OFMB is "Adopting" clusters of farmers in different areas of the country in order to advise them on how to become more successful in agriculture and produce surpluses through adopting the latest and best farming practices and using the right fertilizers, chemicals and seeds.
OFMB is actively investigating new agricultural practices to be introduced into the country and thus provide alternative crops for farmers to produce with guaranteed export markets. This will ensure more employment and rural stability as well as earn foreign currency for the economy.