Africa-Press – Botswana. The process of engaging private security at Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination (AI) ranch is still ongoing.
Currently, the state security is offering security services, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi said in Parliament on July 28.
He was responding to a question from Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama who had asked the minister to apprise the house on the total cost of the livestock purchased from the United States, their transportation costs as well as cost for their security.
Assistant Minister Molebatsi said in order to improve the national herd and its genetic merit, government had invested in procurement of breeding cattle for purposes of semen and embryo production.
He said the average price of the bulls was P95 000, adding that their prices varied from the minimum of P42 000 to a maximum of P133 000.
The total cost for 141 bulls was P13 394 500.
The cost for heifers was P80 500 each, therefore the 21 heifers cost a total of P1 690 500,” said Mr Molebatsi.
He said the total cost of the breeding cattle was P15 085 000.
Additionally, Mr Molebatsi said the total shipping cost of the cattle was P8 640 366, while the transportation cost from Gaborone to Ramatlabama was P212 803.
He said the mortality insurance cost was 2.5 per cent of the total cost of the consignment, which translated to P593 134.
Mr Molebatsi said at the moment, the Department of Animal Production had a framework contract with the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board for the constant supply of feed and medicines.
So far, Mr Molebatsi said the cost of medicine used since the arrival of the cattle was P103 650.
He said the department had further procured feed amounting to about P372 174.
Mr Molebatsi said the total cost of bringing the consignment of cattle from Texas to Ramatlabama was just over P25 007 129.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
