In June 2018, through a chance interaction between the current Rotary Club of Gaborone President Bill McLellan and the Israeli embassy, the Rotary Club of Gaborone secured the generous funding of over BWP110,000 through MASHAV (Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation). This was to upgrade the problematic and grossly inefficient existing irrigation system of the entire orchard.
The new equipment supplied was a state-of-the-art Netafim drip irrigation system for the entire 2.2 hectares, with an additional integrated soluble fertilizer dispenser. Also included in the donation were a new water tank liner and cover to renovate the existing leaking bulk storage water tank.
The supplier, installer and technical advisers for this upgrade were Flo-tec, who were extremely helpful, accommodating and understanding of the humanitarian aspect of this project.
This single donation by MASHAV has taken the orchard’s potential to a new level, enabling full commercial viability to be finally within reach.
On Monday, 11 March 2019 the Israeli Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Gershon Kedar officially handed over the irrigation system to the Sisters of Calvary. President Bill McLellan and Sister Bontle thanked the Ambassador for the financial support given to the orchard project by MASHAV.
Rotarian Jon Major deserves special mention with respect to the logistics and project management of the new irrigation project. He worked tirelessly with Flo-Tec Botswana to ensure that the right equipment was sourced installed.