16 May 2017

Aspiring ostrich farmers and those already in the trade have been implored to form clusters to attract aid from various stakeholders who may have an interest in supporting the industry.

Botswana Ostrich Farmers Association (BOFA) chairperson, Mr Thabo Mokwena said working as units would assist the farmers to reach their full potential.

He noted that it would also be easier to surmount challenges as and when they arise when working as teams.

Speaking at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 15, Mr Mokwena encouraged aspiring farmers to join the association to make the voice of ostrich farmers more audible.

The BOFA chairperson pointed out that ostrich farming had various aspects within it, such as among breeding, feedlotting, transportation of birds and products as well as production of feeds and ostrich by-products.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Poultry Association chairperson, Mr Ishmael Mosinyi cautioned farmers against engaging in different aspects of farming, saying doing so was detrimental to efforts to attain success.

He said focusing in one or just a few areas was advisable as the resources invested into the venture were more likely to yield tangible results.

Mr Mosinyi noted further that, like any other business, ostrich farming also called for appropriate skills.

He thus encouraged ostrich farmers to constantly up-skill themselves so as not to remain behind when the industry evolved.

Mr Mosinyi also noted with concern the culture of venturing into farming at an advanced age.

He said Batswana ought to realise that farming was a career that one should embark on during their prime, especially because it was a demanding venture both mentally and physically.

A principal scientific officer with the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Gothusaone Mathiba hailed BOFA for its efforts to encourage locals to go into ostrich farming.

He said since government encouraged job creation and poverty eradication efforts, BOFA’s efforts were a clear endeavour to achieve that.

One of the objectives of the AGM was to give BOFA members a platform to introspect and evaluate efforts aimed at reviving the Botswana ostrich farming industry. ENDS