For the third year in a row, National Development Bank (NDB) sponsored the 5th Chobe Agricultural Show at Pandamatenga to the tune of P150, 000.00. The show which was held from the 27-30 July 2016 started off with 40 to 50 exhibitors and roughly 800 attendants five years back and has grown to attract 86 exhibitors and approximately 1500 attendants. 

The partnership between the Bank and Pandamatenga Commercial Farmers Association dates back to 2013 when a three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed. NDB CEO, Lorato Morapedi, said that the relationship is inherently part of the execution of the Bank’s mandate, where, as a development finance institution, the Bank has an interest in ensuring that there is food security and sustainability in arable farming amongst other key stakeholders of the economy that the Bank supports. Over the last five years, NDB has invested P263million in agriculture despite the harsh weather conditions that arable farming has experienced.

Morapedi noted with gratitude the transfer of skills between commercial and upcoming farmers in the Chobe region that has resulted in an improvement in output and quality of produce by the emerging farmers. She also appreciated the acquisition of a bigger show ground by the Show Committee.

The Bank has pledged to support the event for the next three (3) years and will also explore opportunities to expand the scope of the Memorandum of Agreement to further extend to social and economic gains within the larger Chobe community.