Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that encourages youth involvement in the livestock farming value chain, Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe has said.
He said this during the official opening of the Youth Livestock Farmer’s Day, under the theme: Empowering Youth through Opportunities in the Livestock Farming Value Chain, in Serowe on Friday. Mr Mathoothe said that with today’s economy, Botswana finds itself with the task of transforming from a consumption- driven economy to a production and innovation led economy, citing that it was through agro businesses and livestock farming entrepreneurship that accomplishment of the task would see the light of day.
With this, he noted that his ministry was strengthening partnerships with financial institutions to improve youth’s access to capital and that they were currently working with stakeholders to reduce barriers to market access, both locally and internationally. Mr Mathoothe called on government departments and agencies to commit to long term and sustainable aid to youth initiatives that had the potential to boost the economy.
“We must also remind ourselves as government agencies, development partners, and stakeholders that supporting youth initiatives should not be done merely to tick boxes or meet annual performance targets. It must be a mission driven by genuine intent and a shared commitment to building a sustainable future. Let our support be purposeful, impactful, and anchored in long-term transformation, not short-term applause,” he said.
Moreover, Mr Mathoothe encouraged youth livestock farmers to implement good livestock breeding programmes, animal health practices, observe good nutrition for livestock and efficient waste management practices that reduced pollution and comply with hygiene and safety standards. He urged farmers to improve the overall quality of the national herd, which in turn would enhance the sector’s capacity to generate higher income for the producer.
He said called for youth to use power of numbers to their advantage by forming cooperatives or clusters that could prove efficient for maximising outputs. Mr Mathoothe encouraged livestock farmers to adopt modern technology as it had the potential to increase efficiency, for example, the use of drones and digitised services greatly improve the turnaround time of production for farmers.
He applauded young livestock farmers and agro businesses that graced the event for their commitment in striving to change the narrative of Botswana being a consumption led economy. Mr Mathoothe further commended WXS Farm for organising the two- day event which brought together aspiring youth entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to not only deliberate and exchange knowledge and ideas on the livestock farming value chain, but to also witness what commitment to the business could deliver.
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