Africa-Press – Botswana. Upcoming and committed youthful farmers will soon have the opportunity to own ranches that are currently seldom allocated in the country.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi revealed during the inaugural Youth Livestock Farmers Day at Letlhare Farm, Serowe on Friday that government had started a process to secure chunk of land for purposes of ranch allocation to the said cohort.
The process, he said was at an advanced stage and was informed by the realisation that many young Batswana had developed keen interest in farming.
Dr Masisi said government was committed to supporting and nurturing farmers, given the introduction of programmes such as Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo all aimed at revitalising the agric sector.
He, therefore, encouraged young farmers to utilise such programmes to take farming to another level.
In regard to the event, the President noted that it was evident that the message he always preached, of encouraging more Batswana to venture into farming was being well received, and such was pleasing.
“The youth are the future of this country, we need to support and nurture them in their farming endeavor so that they even do better than us in future,” he said.
Talking about the recent importation of livestock, President Masisi said the exercise left no Motswana behind, including aspiring young farmers.
He highlighted that wealth in livestock was never about quantity but quality of animals, hence the need to improve the quality of local breeds.
Though he emphasised the importance of improving quality of breed, President Masisi however, advised Batswana not to neglect the indigenous breed to an extent of extinction.
He implored young farmers to adopt new technologies and develop new local breeds.
President Masisi highlighted that besides beef and chicken, Botswana did not produce enough food and challenged more youth to venture into farming with the support of government.
He said national cereal production was very low, such that the country relied much on importing.
The President noted that production level of fodder in the country was also low, a value chain aspect that young farmers could tap into.
He also encouraged the youth to go into aquaculture or fish farming saying, the business had potential and could be lucrative.
Meanwhile, still at the event, President Masisi donated five red Brahman bulls to Mr Bernard Gaowetswe, Mr Ogolotse Banthole, Ms Selwana Seetswane as well as Mr Refilwe Ramasokola and Ms Temo Dintwa.
By so doing, President Masisi said he was encouraging fellow Batswana to venture into farming.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
