26 Jun 2017

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has challenged farmers to increase the number of their livestock to remain relevant in the market.

Minister Ralotsia said this during the Voorslag field day in Letlhakane on June 24.

He said the market was not yet saturated and that livestock statistics had not experienced any growth, but had declined and that it was a threat to the cattle industry.

For the success of the industry, he said there was need for farmers to understand their roles, adding that their role was to produce enough to feed the nation and for the export market.

Botswana, he noted, imported livestock feed which could be produced locally and stored to reduce the import bill.

The minister also noted that the Central District had the highest number of cattle, and that most of them were in the 240 ranches that were allocated by the land board in Kaka and Sandveldt. Lethakane Sub-district, he said, had 175 000 cattle and 44 158 small stock.

Their success, he said, required record keeping including ear tagging for traceability and being able to sell livestock when it was ready for the market.

The minister criticised the tendency by some farmers to re-supply products bought from other farmers at a lesser price and sell to government at a higher price. He added that the private sector inflated prices unnecessarily.

“That does not only deny beneficiaries an opportunity to benefit, but it also denies yourselves as business people an opportunity to benefit,” he said.

Government, he said, was looking forward to an active private sector. He said there was no need for government to operate as a business, saying it was the job of the private sector.

Minister Ralotsia also noted that the country was not self-sufficient on food and feed, saying there was enough land that could produce more than what was needed.

He added that the agriculture sector had the potential to employ everyone in the country, noting that with the necessary technologies, commitment and dedication, it could be done.

Mr Ralotsia also said there was need for change because of the dynamics, noting that there had been a significant change in the country’s demographics.

He said the world population was increasing, but that land on which agriculture was undertaken was not increasing.

He said it dictated that new technologies that could boost food production should be employed.

The minister also noted that other parts of the world were experiencing a decline in food prices while Africa was experiencing an increase, calling for change.

He urged farmers to reduce using the plough as it exposed moisture, adding that technology it was critical to conserve moisture.

Furthermore, he encouraged farmers to fight measles, saying the disease required farmers’ concerted efforts to eradicate it through construction of pit latrines.

Botswana, he said, had a challenge with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and that people believe it could not be eradicated.

He assured farmers that FMD would be fought in the presence of buffaloes.

He said the outbreak of FMD was a consequence of negligence, noting that the last outbreak was in 2015.

Mr Ralotsia said if farmers could join hands with government, they would succeed in the fight against FMD.

Mr Otsile Mmatlakgomo of Boteti Farmers’ Association said Voorslag, which sold livestock feed and vaccinations, had relieved them from travelling distances to Francistown to buy feed.

Mr Mmatlakgomo complained of lack of transport at the local veterinary office. ENDS