10 Feb 2016

Fifteen Batswana students have left for the United States of America to pursue a 12 months dairymen training programme at the University of Florida sponsored by MilkAfric.

Of the 15 students, five are from the Ministry of Agriculture, who will upon their completion, return to the ministry to engage in dairy extension work across the country helping small-holder farmers in developing viable dairy enterprises.
Students are expected to acquire unique expertise in the dairy production industry, hence growing the industry in Botswana.

The students are part of the human capital investment in Botswana by MilkAfric.
The company has a mission to be the leading African natural dairy and milk producing company that believes in sustainable agriculture.

MilkAfric CEO, Mr Philemon Matibe said while in the US, the students would receive practical hands-on training at MilkAfric’s technical partners’ dairy farms, Alliance Dairies.

“The dairymen students will be trained in all aspects of diary management within the milking facilities at Alliance Dairies.

On any given day, they will have an opportunity to interact with 12 000 milking cows and all the supporting staff at Alliance Dairies, including world class animal science professors from the University of Florida,” said Mr Matibe.

He also said upon their return, the trainees would be well-equipped and competent in all aspects of dairy management, and among them shall be nutrition, animal breeding, calving, parlour and equipment maintenance specialists. Furthermore, the CEO said once MilkAfric reaches full operation, the dairy would greatly improve milk production in Botswana, encourage skills transfer and create employment in the industry.

Meanwhile, former vice president, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe commended MilkAfric, noting that competition in the world for inviting investors was fierce, and that those who wish to invest and have gainful investments are wanted by virtually every country and that MilkAfric was no exception in the region.

However, on another issue, Dr Kedikilwe said the milk production sector was challenged by factors such  as global warming and changing weather patterns which affect the reproduction of cows. Ends