29 Apr 2013

Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has advised farmers to adopt modern farming practices for the survival and sustainability of the livestock sector.

Officiating at the Sandveldt Ranchers Association field day on Saturday, he implored farmers to embrace change in the way they farmed and marketed their farm produce, in this case cattle.

He also advised them to  change the way they organised themselves as the farming community.

Dr Kedikilwe further said it was about time ranchers invested in the value addition chain of the industry.

Having formed an association, he said the farmers’ next big step was to use the association as a vehicle for investment.

“We should strive as Batswana to gain a stronger and more meaningful foothold in the economy of Botswana.”

The Vice President identified some of the challenges facing the sector as persistent droughts, livestock diseases such as FMD, stringent EU market requirements, issues associated with the LITS system and governance issues at the BMC.

“All of which combined can dampen the morale of even the most dedicated cattle rancher,” he observed.

As such, he commended farmers for their admirable level of commitment and resilience.

Dr Kedikilwe said government has identified agriculture as an area of growth that can assist diversify the economy away from the commodities markets, hence the establishment of an Agricultural Hub.

Dr Kedikilwe said every Motswana depend directly on cattle for their livelihoods. He reiterated that with the cattle population estimated at 2.5 million, the sector remained one of the country’s major natural resources and remained greatly significant to the livelihoods of the people.

“Batswana also attach sentimental value and psycho-social personal net-worth to cattle ownership.”

The Vice President noted that ranch owners have issues such as limitations of grazing land, especially in light of the current 6km x 6km allocation which is deemed viable but with only a limited number of stock.

However, he cautioned that the plight of many Batswana who rear their cattle in predominantly under the communal system cannot be overlooked. ENDS