Africa-Press – Botswana. Artificial insemination (AI) presents opportunities for increased bull usage efficiency and potential for genetic selection as well as cost-effectiveness.
This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at Saturday’s Southern District Beef Farmers’ Association field day at Naledi Farms.
He explained that in the event of a bull dying, its semen would have been preserved.
Once preserved, semen could be distributed to all geographical locations and cows inseminated simultaneously, said Dr Masisi.
He pointed out that under the natural method, mating system, a bull was limited to a particular geographical area.
The President therefore implored both communal and commercial farmers to take advantage of AI facilities to improve the quality of their breed and consequently that of the national herd.
He pledged his support to pastoral farmers by way of easing the way of doing agri-businesses in order to maximise output and profits.
The President commended Mr Morris Setlhaolo of Lerolwane ranches for his attractive and appealing bulls and encouraged the beef production farmer to continue with the good work.
Farmers were also encouraged to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement which Dr Masisi said promised broader and deeper economic integration.
The agreement would also attract investment, boost trade and increase shared prosperity in Africa, he said.
In an interview, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare stressed the need to embrace technology in order to increase cattle population and enhance breed quality.
He challenged Batswana to explore the cattle value chain by participating in all stages of the production cycle starting with conception.
Mr Mothapi Masire, a renowned master farmer, told BOPA in another interview that his parents’ investment in semen from the United States was paying off.
He said it was gratifying that government was taking the same direction to increase the quantity and improve the quality of the national herd.
Mr Masire of Bonyamabogo Farm and a Southern District Beef Farmers’ Association member, said taking farming as core business contributed to the country’s economic growth.
The farmer, who went for benchmarking in Texas, called for mindset change with regard to farming in Botswana which many considered a secondary activity.
He said while in Botswana farming was more oriented to supplementary feeding, in Texas farmers were more focused on intensive or industrial agriculture.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
