Africa-Press – Botswana. Attendants of a Small Stock Management Day at Lemunolentsho Ranch Saturday May 13 have been apprised of government plans to develop the sector.
Speaking at the event, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said 50 per cent of Lobu Farm would be allocated to independent farmers as a way of addressing the issue of land shortage which hampered optimal production.
He said the solar-hydro technology used at the farm would be rolled out to other production areas to ensure availability of potable water for human and livestock consumption.
“We will take first-world standards to the farm to affirm our seriousness in developing the industry,” said Dr Masisi.
The President said in addition to the 155 bulls and rams donated to different farmers for livestock genetic material improvement, animal reproductive efficiency services at Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Centre would be extended to small stock.
More people, Dr Masisi said, would be trained to capacitate them to perform artificial insemination on both cattle and small stock.
“I want this country to be the leading country for genetic material for livestock. People must look to us for answers,” he said.
President Masisi said agricultural sector improvement was key to Botswana’s transition from a middle-income to a high-income economy.
“I want us to clean the business model for our meat production so that by the time I leave the presidency, I do not want any farmer to be getting less than P100 per kilogramme for their exported meat, and it is possible,” he said.
Stressing the need to make agriculture fashionable by using modern technologies to enhance production, Dr Masisi said plans were underway to digitalize farms.
Batswana youth should be encouraged to develop innovations and technologies, including for export, he said.
President Masisi said Botswana’s small stock population was currently way below the market demand which called for farmers to employ best management practices that met international standards.
He pointed out that the international market required dedicated farmers committed to producing high-quality meat in large quantities.
Government, said the President, was doing its part to improve meat production through good governance and intentional programmes that enabled farmers to enhance their produce to fulfil market demands.
“I want to assure you that in terms of governing quality meat production, I am ready and willing to assist,” he said.
Also gracing the event was Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao who said small stock production was a key area for diversification from the beef that Botswana was known for.
He said government interventions in the sector were intended to address challenges such as inadequate skills, poor management practices and market access.
Minister Molao commended the Southern Beef Farmers Association for extending membership to small stock farmers.
“Organising yourselves in this manner will go a long way in providing opportunities to aggregate production to access markets as a collective and have bargaining power,” he said.
The minister called for the adoption of good management practices and utilisation of programmes such as BAITS.
“Let us venture into small stock farming, let us register, tag and keep records of our stock, including the vaccination charts. The market is ready,” said Mr Molao.
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