Africa-Press – Botswana. Farmers have been advised to confirm the legitimacy of inseminators with the Department of Veterinary Services before engaging them on their farms to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.
The warning was issued by Letlhakeng District Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Thomas Tadubana during Tshephe Farmer’s Association field day at Mokame cattle post near Takatokwane.
Mr Tadubana warned that as artificial insemination gains popularity, there would be dishonest individuals who would aim to rip off farmers. He explained that to practice as an inseminator, it was a requirement for an individual to have registered at the Ministry of Agriculture as per Livestock Improvement Act of 2009.
He also explained that heat (Estros) synchronization could only be done by veterinary surgeons.
These requirements helped protect farmers against negligence and deception. The wellbeing of the animal is also protected.
Mr Tadubana warned those who breach the Livestock Improvement Act of 2009 to desist from doing so before the law could reach them.
He called on farmers to take advantage of the 30 per cent animal feed subsidy introduced by government to make the feed affordable to them. He encouraged farmers to invest in range land restoration rather than concentrating on livestock alone.
Letlhakeng’s Principal Veterinary Officer, Dr Ofentse Motseolapile, called on farmers to stop a tendency of capturing ghost animals in Botswana Animal & Traceability System (BAITS).
Dr Motseolapile regretted that farmers were lagged behind in registering their holdings to make them eligible for EU lucrative markets. He appealed to farmers to exploit this opportunity because registration was free of charge.
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