Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s initiative to donate bulls to farmers, which began in April last year, is making a positive impact and benefiting more farmers throughout the nation.
On Wednesday, President Masisi presented a pedigree beefmaster bull to Mr Brutus Dlaba, a 73-year-old farmer from Matulungundu cattle post in Maitengwe.
However, the delivery of the bull to the beneficiary will be postponed until the revised livestock movement protocol is lifted. This protocol was implemented after the recent intrusion of buffalos into the area around September, which restricted the movement of cloven-hooved animals.
President Masisi encouraged Mr Dlaba to share it with his neighbours, ensuring that everyone in the community benefited.
“We have taken a decision that if we want to move forward as a nation, no one should be left behind,” President Masisi said.
He stressed the need to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in order for the country to prosper. President Masisi also urged Mr Dlaba to take good care of the animal and protect it against diseases.
Batswana have praised President Masisi, who is also the Champion for Vision 2036, for his commitment to turning agriculture into one of the leading contributors to the economy.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi, expressed government’s concern over the declining state of agriculture, which historically played a significant role in the country’s gross domestic product.
He stated that President Masisi bull donation initiative aim was to revive the declining cattle population in the country.
Mr Molebatsi encouraged Mr Dlaba to harvest the bull’s semen and store it for future use.
He also urged residents to enroll for aArtificial Insemination courses at Ramatlabana.
Mr Dlaba thanked the President for the gift. He acknowledged that the bull would greatly improve his breed, beef production, and overall livelihood.
Mr Dlaba has been involved in cattle rearing since the 1970s when he worked as an Agricultural demonstrator in Makwate. He said he bought most of his cattle through a loan from the National Development Bank.
In 2021 he relocated his cattle post to Matulungundu with 25 herds of cattle.
Today, he is a proud owner of 60 cattle, with a borehole and a well-built cattle crush at his cattle post.
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