27 Jan 2016

The coordinator of Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS), Dr Setshego Phokoje says ear tags will be rolled out to Ngamiland farmers at government cost. 

Dr Phokoje, who was speaking at a training workshop for Ngamiland farmers on BAITS in Maun recently, said faramers would be responsible for buying ear tags for livestock that would be born after the exercise. 

She said the ear tags would be sold at P20 per pair, but that one has to be a registered livestock keeper to be able to buy them. 

The coordinator explained that every farmer would tag their own animals, adding that the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has trained 58 youth in Maun to help farmers with the exercise. 

Dr Phokoje explained that the traceability system was a tool that DVS uses to address animal health, public health as well as animal husbandry. She noted that the BAITS system was launched in 2014 in Pitsane. 

Dr Phokoje said the traceability system started in 2009, and that it was called the Livestock Identification and Traceability System, adding that the system was using bolus which was inserted inside the stomach. 

 She observed that the bolus system had its shortfalls as it did not provide easy livestock identification. The shortfalls, she said, brought challenges because farmers lost confidence in the department as livestock were rejected from markets because some cattle did not have boluses while some did not match the owners detail. 

Dr Phokoje emphasised that the challenges made the department to revisit their traceability system in 2012. 

She said BAITS gave farmers power over their livestock with the ministry monitoring and giving advice where necessary. 

Furthermore, she said the Economic Stimulus Programme was the government’s way to fulfill its commitment to the youth, adding that BAIT has engaged 45 youth so far. 

Ngamiland farmers welcomed the new system, noting that it would go a long way in improving farming in the country. 

For his part, Mr John Ben, who is a farmer, thanked the department for introducing the system and called for cooperation between farmers and DVS. He expressed hope that the traceability system would help even in livestock theft. 

Mr Ben expressed concern that their livestock had no value, but that they spent so much on them. 

Another farmer, Mr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla stated that Ngamiland has a serious challenge of Foot and Mouth Disease. He urged the department to commit more resources to try to eliminate the disease. ENDS