10 Sep 2017

Slaughter facilities in Ngamiland district remain a challenge for poultry producers.

This was said by an official from the department of Animal Health and Production, Ms Kebonye Phorego during Botswana Poultry Association workshop in Maun about progress on the Poultry Strategy approved by government to resuscitate small scale poultry production.

Ms Phorego explained that they managed to resuscitate some clusters and urged poultry producers in Ngamiland to form clusters and look for land or existing structures, which could be turned into slaughter facility.

She said efforts were made to secure an existing structure at Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, but bore no fruits since the facility did not meet some of the requirements.

Ms Phorego asked producers to look for alternatives and liaise with the Department of Animal Production in Maun. 

The gathering learnt that the strategy came into place in 2014 after a survey undertaken by a task team to find the cause for the collapse of small scale businesses in the chicken industry around the country.

She said the team realised that small scale poultry farmers were faced with a number of challenges such as high costs of feeds, lack of reliable market, slaughter houses and lack of knowledge in poultry production.

Ms Phorego said a strategy was developed and approved by government, hence efforts to resuscitate small scale-poultry production in the country.

Ngamiland District agricultural coordinator, Mr Obert Mabutha urged poultry producers to form an association to exchange ideas and improve their businesses, saying poultry had proven to be profitable if well managed.

He said they could easily penetrate the market if they sold in bulk and would reap more profits, adding that government was committed to ensure they ran sustainable projects. 

They also learnt that government procurement system supported small scale poultry producers by buying from outlets such as cooperative abattoirs and other outlets identified through the Botswana Poultry Association. 

Mr Mabutha said producers could benefit from the tourism sector, but emphasised quality products in order to attract customers.

North West Poultry Agriculture Management Association chairperson, Mr Emmanuel Mozingwane also decried high prices on feeds and appealed to businesses selling feeds and chicks to open depots in Maun.

He said it was expensive to buy from Francistown, saying they had to group themselves for cheaper delivery services.

He also noted that weather conditions affected their business because hot weather conditions meant decrease in production. 

Irvines Botswana company also equipped producers with basic skills on proper management of broilers and layers. 

Mr Gontle Masilompana said birds should be collected from the supplier during early hours. 

He emphasised on the cleanliness of poultry houses, saying they should ensure that chicks always had easy access to food and clean water. ENDS